Douglas Elementary School construction Phases 1-3 are completed.
“Students and teachers,” said Saugatuck Public Schools Superintendent Tim Travis last week, “are excited to begin learning in the beautiful new art, music and science rooms and four renovated early elementary classrooms.”
Voters March 10, 2020 approved the district’s third, scaled-down ask for a 1.6-mill, $35.6-million bond to provide building improvements at the elementary and Saugatuck Middle/High School.
DES demolition began last April last year with mechanical and electrical systems disconnected and rerouted, the roof removed and some interior walls taken down.
The district formally broke ground on site May 20. Phase 2 began as soon as the academic year ended June 11.
That work included a new secure entrance and office, learning commons spaces and volunteer area, special education suite and four lower elementary classrooms on the north side of the building. The cafeteria got a refresh last summer also.
The building, reconfigured so classes and continuing construction did not conflict, was ready for students to return by the start of the school year Aug. 31.
Phase 3, including a renovated art room, music room, science-technology room, small group instruction space, teacher collaboration and workspace and four lower elementary classrooms, has now been completed. To check out thenew DES spaces visit https://youtu.be/iGmzS8CB_O4 .
Phase 4, which includes a new office and secure entrance, learning commons, volunteer area and special education suite of classrooms and offices, along with four more renovated lower elementary classrooms, is scheduled for completion this summer.
The middle/high school project — after three months of discovery workshops and programming meetings with students, parents, faculty, staff, administration and a board member — has progressed through the schematic design phase.
A design playbook with information on the work can be found online at saugatuckpublicschools.com.