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"We're very excited about everything we've been able to accomplish over the summer," Denbow said. "Our staff has done an incredible amount of work to provide our students with the best learning environments possible.
Everything we do is for the students"
Denbow added that all the improvements made to school grounds is thanks to the school board members and administration for approving them.
Surveillance Cameras
A series of surveillance cameras have been placed around school grounds, monitoring many areas of high foot traffic, entrances and playgrounds.
The system was co-designed by Edgar Murray Elementary Assistant Principal Kent Sherrow.
Putting together the entire system in-house, Denbow said, saved the district quite a bit of money.
"Sherrow did a great job with this system," Denbow said. "It's very impressive."
The school district had applied for a state grant to have a camera system installed last year, but the request fell through.
Denbow said building their own system ended up being much more cost effective and convenient.
Best of all, said Sherrow, school administrators have full control over the system.
"We can move cameras wherever we want, we can choose what kind of camera is best for a certain spot and we're not at the mercy of a contractor," Sherrow said.
Sherrow said the overall system isn't finalized yet. He plans to move and add cameras until the configuration is perfected.
Technological
Advancements
Denbow said many of this year's school improvements focus on technology, including new computers, smart boards and e-MINTS classrooms.
In the high school, a section of the library was walled off to create a new computer lab containing 30 new machines.
In the library, 12 new computers were added with new desks and furniture.
Library Media Specialist Ginger Murphy said the new lab makes better use of the open space the library once had and the new computers will be a big help to students.
Teachers are able to reserve the lab for classes.
Across the hall from the library, a computer lab also received all new computers and desks.
Murphy, who designed the room, said it's a big upgrade in technological access for students.
Business classes in the high school are also in for big technological improvements.
The business department received a state vocational enhancement grant that, with matching funds, will amount to $71,000.
The grant paid for 27 new computers, all new furniture and desks, new printers and a digital document camera for color projection.
In the junior high school, 80 new computers were purchased for classrooms throughout the school.
Additionally, all the classrooms now have projectors and several smartboards were added.
At Edgar Murray Elementary, three new eMINTS rooms were added, which are classrooms that are based on student interaction using computers and six new smartboards.
The computer lab also received new computers with flat screens to utilize more space.
Edgar Murray Principal Debbie Rufkahr said it was the school's goal to utilize the Internet more and more in the education of students.
She said many workbooks and educational activities are based online now, eliminating the need for some textbooks.
Rufkahr added that she expects more of the students' curriculum to become Web based in future years.
"We've got some unbelievable tools," she said.
The elementary school received four new projectors for classrooms and the gym was treated to a new public address sound system
"We're very excited about the improvements," said elementary principal Nadine Myers.
Infastructural
Improvements
St. Clair School District buildings were also treated to widespread upgrades.
All buildings have received a lighting upgrade that Denbow says is brighter and uses less energy.
"What we have now isn't even comparable to what it was," he said of the new lights. "This is really a big improvement."
He added the new lighting makes for a much better learning environment for students.
In the high school, asbestos tile flooring was removed and replaced in the science and business wings.
The flooring had been damaged during flooding last July.
In the high school gym, metal safety mesh was added to the railing on the balcony.
Before, the guard consisted of several rails.
"This is just a safer option for everyone," Denbow said.
A new server room was added with a separate air conditioner to make sure electronics stay cool, even if the main climate control system fails.
A breezeway was constructed between the high school and junior high.
Classrooms in the junior high are also seeing heavy improvements.
Large windows in the library and 20 classrooms are being retrofitted with new glass.
Junior high Principal Steve Weinhold said the new windows are a huge improvement. He said, especially in cold temperatures, the old glass in the windows created drafts.
Weinhold said the improvement is sure to make students more comfortable.
Also in the junior high building, many classrooms are having drop ceilings installed. Weinhold said those improvements will also help climate control in classrooms as well as improve acoustics.
Denbow said the new windows will especially help with energy efficiency.
Athletic Fields
Besides the highly publicized turf addition to the football field, the baseball field is also undergoing improvements.
Crews are currently installing an underground sprinkler system that will cover the entire field.
Also, sod has been laid on the infield, turning it from dirt to grass and an underground drainage system has been installed to help the field retain more water and hopefully avoid more rained-out games.
