School Renovations Update

The lockers have been installed and the sinks and cabinets have been replaced!

You can see photos at the King School twitter: http://twitter.com/King_School

MLK School Renovations Update

Back in October and December of this school year, I shared some continuing information about renovations at King School associated with the 2004 bond passed by Ann Arbor voters. Click here to view what was shared.

Since then, quite a bit has happened at school in the way of renovations including:
- electrical upgrades;
- installation of a new security system;
- replacement of some classroom flooring in some rooms;
- updating of all bathrooms in the building;
- repaving of front drive;
- replacing the heating system;
- installation of wireless infrastructure;
- installation of new "white" boards in all classrooms.

During the upcoming spring break, we've got more work that will be completed including:
- replacement of more classroom flooring;
- installation of lockers in hallways;
- replace cabinetry and sinks in classrooms;
- painting doors and hallways.

WOW! It is going to be very exciting to come back from spring break to see the new improvements--especially the lockers! I know the kids are excited about the lockers!

MLK Building Renovations Update

As part of the 2004 bond approved by Ann Arbor voters, King School is being renovated. The plans for renovation were presented to the MLK Community on October 14, 2008 at the PTO meeting.

Some of the renovations have taken place already including installing the infrastructure for updated electrical service and wireless Internet. In addition, over the winter break, six classrooms will have new floors installed and corridor ceiling tiles will be replaced (which are original from 1969 I believe). I am hopeful that new carpet will be installed in the music room as well.

I continue to take suggestions for "wish list" items which may be purchased if there is"extra" bond money. Here is the complete "wish list" as of today:

• Resurface asphalt areas in front of school and parking lot
• Ident-A-Kid visitor check-in system technology package (computer, printer, webcam) – building techs do not support this direction.
• Ceiling mount existing projectors in art room, computer lab, in media center and in office conference room—NOT in music room
• Update signage around building - parking lot entrance?
• Signage at entrance of front drive making it clear where drop off occurs
• Interior signage
• Update cosmetics of parking lot entrance to make it look like an entrance (sign, planter)
• Can a schematic be provided?
• Is there a way to make it look more organic, less industrial
• New classroom furniture – tables, chairs
• Elmo projectors for all classrooms
• Sink in MP room for handwashing
• Smart/Active boards in each classrooom
• Replace hallway flooring, add pattern
• Replace flooring in classroom storage areas
• Carpet in the media center
• Carpet in teacher’s lounge
• Wireless or data jack in MP Room
• Ceiling tile replacement in media center.
• Upgrade sink and sink cabinet in the staff lounge
• Don’t replace white boards in rooms where they already exist
• Upgrade sink and sink cabinet in the staff lounge
• Interior signage
• Move classroom sinks closer to the middle of the counter space
• New toilet if office bathroom
• Update older drinking fountain across from office
• Cabinet in office for medication
• Stools for the computer lab
• spring/winter rodent problem
• install PA system in RI and resource room
• new door from gym to MP room
• Paint inside and outside of school
• Push-plate on entry door
• Handicapped push plate for main entrance door(s)
• Clean outlet pipe for catch basin in back playground
• Control over our own heat
• Bump out our cubbies to make our rooms larger and then doors leading from each classroom straight outside.
• Ceiling tiles in music room
• Remove old TV in music room

MLK Renovations Update

The plans for the MLK renovation were presented last night at the PTO meeting. The general plans can be viewed in the school office.

We will have a surplus (money projected to be left over after the bond is fulfilled) of $171,000. This money can be used to fund "wish list" items which were generated last year as part of the planning process. In no particular order, the "wish list" items show below.

One thing will be at the top of the wish list: asphalt. While I think everyone on the planning team thought it was clear we wanted the front drive to be resurfaced, this was not included in the projections last night. This means that a chunk of the surplus will go towards asphalt. This is only alarming in that I was expecting it to be included already. I've been reassured that it won't be a problem going forward.

If you think there is something to be added to the list below, please let me know and I'll add it so it can be considered.

• Resurface asphalt areas in front of school and parking lot
• Ident-A-Kid visitor check-in system technology package (computer, printer, webcam)
• Ceiling mount existing projectors in art room, music room, computer
  lab, in media center and in office conference room
• Update signage around building
• Update cosmetics of parking lot entrance to make it look like an entrance (sign, planter)
• New classroom furniture – tables, chairs
• Elmo document projectors for all classrooms
• Smart/Active boards for all classrooms
• Replace hallway flooring, add pattern
• Replace flooring in classroom storage areas
• Carpet in the media center
• Carpet in teacher's lounge
• Ceiling tile replacement in media center.
• Upgrade sink and sink cabinet in the staff lounge
• Move classroom sinks closer to the center of the counter space
• New toilet in office bathroom
• Update older drinking fountain across from office
• Cabinet in office for medication

Not all of what shows on the list will necessarily be purchased. At this point we are brainstorming.

Sincerely,
Kevin

MLK Building Renovations Presentation @ 10/14 PTO Meeting

The AAPS Facilities Department as well as architects and the project manager from Barton Mallow will present the plans for renovations at MLK School at the MLK PTO meeting on October 14, 2008 @ 7 PM.

Some of the highlights of the renovations to take place primarily in the summer of 2010 include:
- electrical upgrades
- installation of a new security system
- replacement of classroom flooring
- updating of all bathrooms in the building
- installation of lockers in hallways
- replace cabinetry and sinks in classrooms
- repaving of front drive
- replacing the heating system
- installation of wireless infrastructure

Front Drive Redesign - Input Sought - 5/7 @ 7 PM

The King School community can soon look forward to many building improvements, thanks to funding approved by voters in 2004 that included modernizations to all K-12 buildings. At King School, construction will happen primarily during the summer of 2009; however, the planning for this is underway. This letter communicates important information about the planning at King—including repaving the front drive and a proposed redesign of the front drive.

The redesign of the front drive is intended to better ensure student safety during the busiest times of the day. The plan includes:
• A separate drop-off/pick-up lane for parents for use in the AM/PM;
• An “island” where students will transition to/from cars;
• A metal (but not chainlnk) fence on the “island” that will block students from crossing into the bus lane anywhere except at the crossing area directly in line with the front doors of the school;
• Increasing the width of the circle drive as much as 25 feet;
• Using grassy area in front of the school for the new drop-off/pick-up lane and the “island.”

King's Building Renovation Team has been meeting since September 2007 to consider and review improvements needed at King. The team includes representatives from the PTO, School Improvement Team and King faculty as well as experts from the district including architects, building planning personnel, traffic engineers, and facilities personnel.

In December 2007 the team sought input from the MLK community about the renovations. Now we are seeking input again--specifically on the front drive redesign—for consideration by the team. A meeting to share the plans and gather additional input will be held on May 7 at 7 PM at King School. Anyone who would like to give input is encouraged to attend.

To assist us in planning for the May 7 meeting, please RSVP by calling 994-1940 by May 7 at 9 AM or by sending an email to karrk@aaps.k12.mi.us. If you cannot attend but would like to give input via email, that can also be sent to karrk@aaps.k12.mi.us.

Graphic of Front Drive Redesign Proposal

While I'm not sure how detailed it will show on your screen, the graphic below is the latest version front drive re-design proposal. It has been posted in response to a request for it. If you'd like a more detailed 1MB .pdf of the file instead, please email karrk at aaps.k12.mi.us.
Note: If you click on the image below, it will enlarge.

Building Project Committee update

Today I met with representatives from the MLK building project committee including representatives from Barton Mallow, Mitchell and Mouat Architects, TMP Architecture, AAPS district representatives, and MLK teacher Karen Haddas. Our meeting was the second meeting this year to plan for the 2005 bond identified building renovations at MLK. The work will include all of the following:

- electrical upgrades

- installation of a new security system

- replacement of classroom flooring

- updating of all bathrooms in the building

- installation of lockers in hallways

- replace cabinetry and sinks in classrooms

- reconfigure drop off area in front of school to better insure safety of students

- replace heating system

- install wireless infrastructure

The exciting part: Conceptual Drawings! At this point, I have conceptual drawings from the architects of what would be done at MLK . . . so . . . it is time to share the concepts and offer any final input on the concepts. With this goal in mind, I've left the drawings and the design specifications in the school office conference room. Please feel free to look them over. In addition, I will be available to share them on Thursday, December 20 from 11:30 to 1 and on Friday, December 21 from 9 to 10. I hope to see you at one of the meetings.