Opelika High School is set to undergo renovations in 2010. This may seem like a long time, but because of funding this is the earliest construction can begin.
The school will be renovated in phases, the phase in 2010 is phase one which will include the career technical department and 12 new class rooms according to Kenneth Burton, assistant superintendent of administration.
“We are not for sure that it will be 2010,” said Mark Neighbors, superintendent of Opelika City Schools. “It isn’t a done deal.”
There are bonds that have to expire, according to Burton.
These bonds are more like mortgages. Once they are paid off more money will be available to proceed with the renovations, according to Neighbors.
Until then construction will not be able to begin.
This isn’t to say that come 2010 renovations will immediately start. The money has to be in place. Once the bonds are ready to go then the school board can begin approving the proposed renovations. Once the approval process is over then construction can begin according to Neighbors.
“We don’t anticipate any problems with the school board,” Burton said. “When we initially proposed the reconstruction, everyone was behind the plan.”
Once the financial proceedings are in order the plans for OHS are rather extensive.
“Half of the new wing will be the career technical department,” Neighbors said. “There will be science and math classrooms as well as a new cafeteria.”
The career technical department consists of vocational type classes, according to Burton. It will offer auto-repair classes, building construction and horticulture departments.
Students will not have to worry about missing school during this renovation period.
“We are planning on communicating with Southern Union,” Burton said. “We hope to use their facilities for our career technical department.”
It will be helpful if the students are able to go to Southern Union during construction according to Burton. The high school is always trying to build relationships with local schools and universities.
“We are still planning,” Neighbors said. “Nothing is for sure. We are just getting our ducks in a row so that we can move forward.”
OHS plays an active role in the community according to Burton. It brings in surrounding school children to the plays in the performing arts building the school has.
The school has been there since the 70s. Burton said the school is doing everything it can to make the building a better place.
While renovations are still in the preliminary stages, Neighbors said everyone seems to be on board for construction. Nothing can be done until 2010, but once everything is in order OHS will have more to offer its students.
