Scott Teays remodeling continues: ; Project to be completed by Fall 2010 term

Although yearlong construction at Scott Teays Elementary in ScottDepot creates problems, STES Principal Beth Pitzer is sure it willbe worth the temporary disruption.

Construction on Scott Teays began in June.

Crews were involved initially with preparing the site where theaddition would be built, working on making sure the land would shedwater properly.

Then they began installing a new sprinkler system in the existingschool structure. They also framed a new drop ceiling to cover upthe old ceiling, exposed wiring and pipes.

The $2.4 million remodeling project is part of the plan to stopovercrowding at Scott Teays and West Teays Elementary schools.

That plan also funded construction of Mount View Elementary,completed in autumn 2008.

Although summer rains put construction behind schedule, the firmin charge of the project, G&G Builders, is back on schedule andshould be finished before the 2010 school year begins.

Scott Teays was originally built in 1951.

An addition was built in 1977 for the school's kindergartenstudents.

The infamous portable classrooms were placed on the site duringthe last two decades as the school's attendance grew.

The new addition will replace those portables, as well asproviding a library, computer lab, new school entrance, officefacilities, bathrooms and four classrooms for Scott Teays fifth-graders, complete with lockers for students.

The computer lab will take the place of the existing Scott Teayscomputer lab, now in a portable classroom behind the school.

The new lab will be roomier and better ventilated, according toPitzer.

The upgraded STES will provide schoolwide wireless Internetaccess, allowing teachers to access their laptops and electronicwhiteboards more easily.

The West Virginia International School will also receive apermanent home in the addition. Transplanted Japanese students fromaround West Virginia attend the school on Saturdays to continuetheir exposure to Japanese culture, additional math and Japaneselanguage.

But for regular STES students, a major disappointment has beenthe dismantling of the playground, which sat closer to Teays ValleyRoad.

But, once construction is completed, the playground will be re-established at the rear of the school.

Temporarily, the students walk up the hill to Good ShepherdBaptist Church for recess.

To warn local motorists of the pint-sized pedestrians, Pitzersaid the school sent fliers to homeowners, informing them of ScottTeays' alternate recess plans.

Photos TOP: Beginning to take shape, the new addition to ScottTeays Elementary School will replace portable buildings, as well asproviding a library, computer lab, new school entrance, officefacilities, bathrooms and four classrooms for Scott Teays fifth-graders, complete with lockers for students.

A crane rises into the sky above the new Scott Teays Elementaryaddition. The new bus loading area is to the right. The WestVirginia International School will also receive a permanent home inthe addition. Transplanted Japanese students from around West