The new target date for completion of the Tyrone Area Middle School renovation/expansion project is now set for May 17.
Ahead of that date, school board members, some parents and students have already had a look at the new facility. Previously, school board members were given a tour of the new building and last night, parents and students had a chance to see the building.
Middle School Principal Dr. John Vendetti and other school officials conducted a tour for parents who will have children entering the fifth and sixth grade in the 2006-07 school year.
Fifth grade students will be moving from the elementary school building while sixth graders will be moving from the current middle school building that will continue to be used for most classes for grades seven and eight.
The tour included a quick look at the new gym. However, the public was not able to go into the gym since workers were in the process of doing their jobs at the time of the tour.
The public did get a chance to go into a new large group instructional room, computer room, science room, an art room, the new cafeteria, the girls and boys locker rooms and other rooms that are part of the new two-story building
Dr. Vendetti said, “the community should be extremely proud” of the new state of the art facility. He said the new addition has been planned for more than a decade and had now “become a reality” with the final stage of the project.
One parent, Carol Gill of Warriors Mark said, “I think it’s interesting. It’s better than what I expected. I didn’t know it was this big.”
She said she would have one child attending the middle school next year.
“The school is just beautiful and I’m really excited about my son coming into it,” said Susan Daly of Tyrone. “I’m a little apprehensive about the fifth graders being in with the other kids. That’s a huge change. At least they are separate from the older kids especially the seventh and eighth graders. Overall, I think it’s going to be a great experience.”
Fred Fink of Tyrone said, “It’s pretty impressive with the science lab and video room. I think the kids need more room because the population around Tyrone is growing.”
After the tour, an orientation was held for parents and students in the high school auditorium. The $10 million project allowed for the expansion of the middle school’s square footage by about 25 percent.
