Construction continues on the new KHS cafeteria. Students will continue to use the old cafeterial until the new one is completed. Once the new cafeteria is completed, the old cafeteria will be converted to classrooms. Staff photos by George Anderson [Click to enlarge]

Kennett High School (KHS) students can look forward to a more modernized and comfortable experience this coming school year.

After undergoing a $6.9 million facility retrofit improvement program designed by Control Technology and Solutions (CTS), of St. Louis, Mo., the 54-year-old school will create a healthier school environment and save the Kennett School District more than $17,300 a year in energy costs.

In May 2008, renovations began on the school, including a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, new interior and exterior doors, new energy efficient windows and lighting, electrical system upgrades, roofing repair, classroom and restroom remodeling, and the construction of a new cafeteria.

New energy efficient lighting is being installed at KHS as part of the renovation for the new school year. [Click to enlarge]

The KHS auditorium is also being upgraded by CTS, who subcontracted Hi-Tech Communications to do the sound, lighting, and stage work. The auditorium has had new lights and a new sound system installed. New curtains have also been put in. New to the auditorium, a projector system has been installed that lowers in front of the curtains.

New auditorium seats have also been ordered.

"I think it's great. You can go into the classrooms and the air is cool. Everything is modernized and more comfortable. It's just a better setting," KHS Superintendent Jerry Noble said.

When asked what the largest obstacle in the KHS renovation was, Rodney Bridger, project manager for CTS, said, "The largest obstacle was the time constraint. Typically, a project of this size would take a year to complete. We needed to pack it into three months. Coordinating the efforts of more than 20 subcontractors and material suppliers was very challenging, but upgrading schools is a large part of what we do. We know how to make the most of the time we have over summer and winter breaks."

Regarding recent inquiries about delaying the start of the 2008-2009 school year, KHS Superintendent Jerry Noble said, "The projects are on schedule. Some of the cosmetics are not done, but we will be able to start school as planned."

Bridger added, "Students will return to find a great portion of the work completed. We've finished installing the HVAC system, interior and exterior doors, and energy efficient windows and lighting. We've also completed upgrading the electrical system and repairing the roof.

"Our big push now is on the new cafeteria, which we will complete by winter break. Once the new cafeteria is finished, the former cafeteria will be converted into additional classrooms," Bridger continued. Students will continue to use the current cafeteria until the new one is completed.

In response to why KHS chose CTS, Noble said, "I followed CTS's work over the last few years and was very impressed. I received great reports from other school districts that chose CTS, so I trusted them to do a good job. The amount of work they have accomplished at the high school in such a short time is amazing. They truly have kept their word."

When asked if there were any other projects CTS was working on in the area, Bridger said, "As we speak, we are wrapping up a project at the New Madrid Elementary School. We're doing a lot of the same things there that we're doing in Kennett -- installing a new HVAC and building automation system, new interior and exterior doors, updating restrooms, and replacing floors and ceilings."