Published: November 05, 2009 10:55 pm      

Madison Southern renovation progressing

May be finished mid-January

Expansion and renovation at Madison Southern High School is nearing completion.

If everything continues on schedule, all projects should be completed within the first two weeks of January, said Madison Southern principal David Gilliam.

In the fall of 2008, the Madison County School Board accepted a $16.9 million bid that included adding a new second floor wing of 21 classrooms, including science and English classes, a computer lab, art room, band room and guidance counselor offices.

The plan also included expanding the cafeteria and gymnasium, adding extra lockers to the hallways and locker rooms, as well as new wall paint and improved air conditioning and heating.

“We’ve had a steady increase in student population since the school opened and we get more every year,” Gilliam said.

Madison Southern had a student enrollment of 1,043 during the 2008-09 school year, up nearly 200 students from 2002-03 when the number was 861, according to audit results posted by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

In all, 49,000 square feet is expected to be added to the existing 124,000 square feet.

The parking area is expected to grow by 75 spaces.

Originally, school officials thought construction could be finished in time for the start of the 2009-10 school year, but unavoidable delays intervened.

“While construction had been slowed by weather and other factors this spring and summer, the district is optimistic that the project will be completed as scheduled,” Madison County Schools superintendent Tommy Floyd told the Register in October.

“We are also encouraged by the difference we know a new, state-of-the-art building will make in the lives of the students and staff that it will serve,” Floyd said.

Construction of the new second-floor classrooms has been completed and students and faculty have been able to utilize those classrooms.

“Our kids have enjoyed having access to the new parts of the school that are up and running,” Gilliam said. “We’re very excited. It’s a great opportunity.”

If all goes according to schedule, the area will be construction-free for most of the spring semester.



Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.