The renovation on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing that started in the summer will continue into the 2024-25 school year. Throughout the 2023-24 school year, the construction has affected students in many ways, including changes in class locations and a gas leak scare.
Currently, the workers are finishing the brick outside and finishing the walls inside. They are also putting in electrical wires and will soon begin painting the walls.
Mr. Paige Owens, the CTE Director, spoke about how the new CTE wing will benefit classes.
“The one great thing is that almost all of our spaces will be bigger and very attractive to students, which will hopefully increase participation numbers,” said Owens.
Owens also said that the construction will allow all classes to remain on campus, with the exception of the welding class, which will continue to travel off campus to Byers Technical Institute in Buena Vista.
CTE teacher Mr. Colter Bennett said that the construction will improve his classes.
“Manufacturing is receiving an entire new lab space that includes a flexible learning space which allows students to switch out equipment in seconds and the Graphics and Communications Program is receiving a new computer lab space, multiple new 3D printers, and a large workspace for creating stickers and other fundraising products,” said Bennett.
Along with the Graphics and Communications class, manufacturing and various other classes are also getting new, advanced tools and equipment to improve the classes. Culinary is getting walk-in refrigerators and freezers and several other appliances.
The construction is scheduled to be finished in December. According to Owens, classes will move in after winter break next year.
