Schools set

for Sept. 8

opening day

By kathy baratta

Staff Writer

PLUMSTED — Students will begin the 2003-04 academic year on Monday. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gerald Woehr said the opening on that date was preplanned and due to work being done at two of the three schools in the K-12 district.

When school opens, slightly more than 1,700 pupils will report to classes. The New Egypt Elementary School will house 848 pupils in prekindergarten through fifth grade. The New Egypt Middle School will house 408 pupils in grades six through eight. New Egypt High School will house 473 students in grades nine through 12.

The enrollment figures are from the end of August and may not reflect late registrants.

Woehr said an addition was put on New Egypt High School this summer that consists of a science lab, three classrooms, a new gymnasium, a trainer’s room and a weight room.

He said the New Egypt Elementary School had renovations completed this summer, with more work scheduled for the summer of 2004. Woehr said this summer’s work consisted of upgrades to the part of the building that was constructed in 1928.

According to Woehr, the school had work done in 1950 and 1954. He said a "huge, almost separate building" was added in 1965, with more remodeling completed in 1987 and 1999.

Woehr noted that the money for the two schools’ renovations and the construction of a new primary school came from an $18 million referendum approved by voters in March 2002.

Air conditioning is being installed in the elementary school along with a new boiler, electrical work and a new roof. Bathrooms are being renovated. Next summer, Woehr said, the work at the school will consist of window and door replacements.

The superintendent said the district will maintain the same curriculum since achievement tests continue to show high marks for pupils.

Speaking of opening day, Woehr said, "It will be a safe environment for children and those critical things will be done, meaning bathrooms will work, we can have lunch."

The superintendent said some cosmetic work may remain to be done at the elementary school. The work will be done after school and should be completed by October, he said.

The primary school will likely not open until February. When it opens, that school will house prekindergarten, kindergarten and first grade pupils.