New school to open on time
By JASON ALEXANDER
Times Herald
MARYSVILLE -- One structure is on its way down, and another is nearly up and running.
Demolition is continuing on the old Marysville High School, and the finishing touches are being put on the replacement facility.
"Everything is going exceptionally well," Marysville Public School Superintendent John Silveri said. "It's right on schedule."
In the new building, furniture is being moved into classrooms, crews are finishing up trim work, painting and even doing a little cleanup.
Silveri said the only thing that might not be ready when school starts Sept. 7 is the new pool.
"We are still aiming for it being completely done on Sept. 7, but there could be a slight delay for a week or two," Silveri. "That is the only part we are concerned with not being finished."
Silveri said the fire marshal is expected to check the building on Aug. 30 and, if approval for occupancy is granted, district staff would be able to move in immediately. For now, supplies are being stored in trailers.
Ground was broken on the new high school project in May 2008.
Each of the new school's 28 classrooms will have about 800 square feet of space. The cafeteria will comprise about 12,000 square feet and include a coffee bar.
The staff will be without a home for a couple of weeks as work continues at the new high school building that is behind the old one at 1325 Michigan Ave.
The demolition of the old structure is near completion of the first phase of a four-phase process, scheduled to take four to six weeks.
Crews first took down the school's newest section, which doesn't have a basement. That part of the building is on the south, along Huron Avenue. That is the staging area for the rest of the construction as crews work from the south to the north.
"We are on track, and we expect to be fully operational by then," Silveri said.
Patricia Speilburg, executive director of finance operations for Marysville schools, graduated from Marysville High School in 1972 and has worked in the district for 32 years.
She said she's sad to see the old building go, but glad to see the change.
"Most people are excited about the change," she said. "It's a gift from the community."