Renovations Planned for Lithia Springs High

School officials hope that upcoming renovations at  will bring the 36-year-old building into the 21st century.

They said the renovations will put the school in line with New Manchester High School, which, 

“New Manchester is like the Cadillac, and the other schools need to" be modernized, school board member D.T. Jackson said.

The Lithia Springs projects are expected to cost between $4 and $5 million and will be carried out over the summer break.

New lighting being installed in the hallways and classrooms will make the school more energy efficient while giving it a more modern look, said Dudley Spruill, chief operations officer.

“I think it will certainly brighten the area and make it better for studying and better for working,” he said.

Reconfiguring the computer lab and updating equipment will make the room more efficient for teaching and will enable teachers to incorporate curriculum better, Spruill said.

“It will enable the teachers to deliver the material better, and it will be a better setup for teaching,” he said.

While adding wireless Internet to the school isn't currently planned, Spruill said it might be added because it’s easier to install while the ceiling tiles are down.

“It’s not a bring-your-own technology school at this time,” Spruill said. "I think (wireless) will aid the faculty and administrators there in using their handheld devices.”

Another focus of the planned renovations is the kitchen. Drains for the dishwasher and disposals need to be renewed, which Spruill said will aid in avoiding future stoppages and backups.

“They’re old, and they have some issues like the drainage systems at your home,” he said. “As time goes by, drains get restricted and clogged. We’re going to have to open up the slab and renew those drains. It’s pretty extensive.”

Plans also include renovations to the auditorium, replacing the roof and repaving the parking lots and drives.

“I think (the students and staff will) be very pleased with it,” Jackson said.

Work will begin as soon as school ends in the spring, and it is expected to be completed before school starts in the fall. The project is expected to be put out for bid after the first of the year.

Last summer, the inside and outside of the school was painted, and work was done to the kitchen unloading dock.