As the academic year begins, Kalamazoo Public Schools is wrapping up a summer of construction. Voters approved a $97 million bond issue last year - the largest in the district’s history. Facilities Director Karen Jackson says KPS finished about $5 million worth of 2018 bond projects in the last few months.
They include everything from replacing the old windows at El Sol Elementary to preparing to remodel and expand Phoenix High School. Eight schools got secure entrances that route people to the front office.
"This is forcing our parents and visitors to please come sign into the building and that we know you’re there," she explained.
Six more schools will get those "secure vestibules" next year.
Jackson says some of the bond’s biggest projects, like building a district-wide kitchen so students can eat fresher food, are still being planned.
"These are needed and exciting projects and we’re really looking forward to opening up our schools this year," she said.
