UCS summer bond issue projects focus on infrastructure, safe and secure schools and student learning

Utica Community Schools students will be returning this September to facility improvements throughout the district that focus on security and student learning.

The district is continuing building improvements this summer that were originally set into motion when district voters approved a $112.5 million bond approved in 2009.

Since the school-year ended in June, projects across the district are supporting the bond issue’s initiatives to improve building safety and infrastructure needs identified in the district’s long-range plans, create parity between district schools and upgrade technology.

“Thanks to our residents, Utica Community Schools students are continuing to learn in a positive and secure environment,” Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “Their investment in our schools allows us to better support classroom instruction, make the important infrastructure improvements and provide the technology that our teachers are using to increase achievement and promote innovation.”

By law, the funds can be used for capital improvements authorized by voters. The bond issue funds may not be used to support day-to-day operations of the school district, such as teachers or utility costs.

Projects being completed this summer include secure lobby entrance at Henry Ford II and Eisenhower High Schools (a secure lobby entrance was opened at Stevenson in 2010 and at Utica High School in 2013), additional swipe card entries at 36 sites, continuation of the district’s long-range infrastructure improvement plan relating to items such as parking lots and roofs, new auxiliary gymnasiums at Davis and Malow Junior High Schools, and scheduled upgrades in laptop computers for secondary students. A complete list of summer 2016 projects by building is listed below.

Since its approval, the 2009 bond issue has invested in building infrastructure and technology improvements that are impacting all schools in the district.

Major bond issue projects completed in previous years including a phone and camera identification system with locked door for visitors at the entrances at all facilities, implementation of district’s ongoing infrastructure improvement and replacement plan for select parking lots and roofs, upgrading the district’s network to provide greater capacity and speed for wireless access, and projects that create parity among the district’s 36 schools, including one of the largest improvement projects in the history of the district’s original high school, Utica High School.

Project

Area

Eisenhower High School

New Front Secure Entrance

Restroom Renovations

Math/Science Area
Gym/Pool Area

Selected Roof Replacement

Henry Ford II High School

New Front Secure Entrance

Athletic Track Resurfacing

Stevenson High School

Restroom Renovations

C and E Pod Area

Utica High School

Selected Roof and Door Replacement

Davis Junior High School

New Auxiliary Gym

Existing Ceiling Tile, Fire Alarm and Light Fixture Replacement

Eppler Junior High

Selected Roof Replacement

Heating System Replacement

Malow Junior High

New Auxiliary Gym Addition

Replacement Flooring in Cafeteria Area

Existing Ceiling Tile, Fire Alarm and Light Fixture Replacement

Secondary Schools

Scheduled Replacements of Secondary Laptops

Browning Elementary

Flooring Replacement in 10 Classrooms and Main Office

DeKeyser Elementary

Flooring Replacement in all Classrooms and Office

Harvey Elementary

Selected Roof Replacement

Plumbrook Elementary

Flooring and Cabinet Replacement in Six Rooms

Roberts Elementary

Exterior Door Replacement

West Utica Elementary

Flooring Replacement in Eight Classrooms

Wiley Elementary

Flooring Replacement Seven Classrooms

District

Continued Implementation of District Bus Replacement Plan through purchase of 20 new Buses

Swipe card main entry system at all buildings