ADAMS TWP — Students at Mars Middle School will remain in the building as work to renovate the 50-year-old structure proceeds this fall.

During a special public meeting Tuesday, John Hays of Thomas & Williamson Program Management said phases for the project have been created to allow students to stay in the building and for the impact on learning to be minimal.

Officials had been considering two options that would have sent middle school students to either the high school or Centennial School throughout the day. Those plans were a cause for concern for some parents, who said they worried their children's overall educational experience would be negatively affected.

Hays said the project team looked at different ways the $14.6 million project could be structured to maximize the available space, while still getting work completed. He said they were challenged to make sure that specialized classes, such as chorus and art, as well as locker rooms were available for use.

Additionally, they determined that 20 rooms needed to be available to ensure that all classes were accommodated. Because of that, six classrooms will be renovated in each phase, with corridor work taking place over the course of the project.

Work will begin at the end of the current school year, with the first phase including work to level the floor in the common area at the center of the building.

New flooring, lights and paint are also included, as is a new roof and HVAC work. Six specialty classrooms will be completed during that time, and a new gym floor and kitchen serving area will be installed. A new entrance will be utilized, with some entrances sealed off.

Phase two would tentatively begin Sept. 10, a day after students would return for the year under a proposed calendar being considered by the school board. Hays said work would begin at 3 p.m. once students are gone for the day. He said barricades will be put in place to keep students away from construction areas, and added that all employees will go through the same background checks as teachers.

Additionally, air testing will be completed throughout the project to make sure dust and debris are kept at a safe level.

Phase three is scheduled Oct. 1 to 22, while phase four is set Oct. 22 to Nov. 12. The final phase would run from Nov. 12 to Dec. 12. Finishing touches and walk-throughs will be conducted over Christmas break, Hays said.

Superintendent Wesley Shipley said the new schedule for work was introduced within the last week. He said the goal is to keep students in place, and to try to limit the number of times teachers will move classrooms within the building.

Dayle Ferguson, board president, said that while things won't be “business as usual” at the school, she believes the project team has done a lot to ensure that learning is not negatively affected.

“It's going to be different, but I hope that you heard tonight a bunch of professional people who are committed to the education and the safety of your children through this process,” she said.