R.K. Smith Middle School recently celebrated the grand opening of a new wing with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, as students, parents, faculty, elected officials and the project’s contractors all came together to celebrate immediately prior to the school’s annual open house.
Each classroom in the wing is equipped with the latest audio technology, enabling teacher and student voices to be amplified as needed. The wing includes new classrooms, a conference room, and a recreation gym, providing more opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Part of the ongoing series of 2022 bond issue projects, roughly 12,000 square feet was added to R.K. Smith. Eight classrooms were added as well as a steam room and a student/staff fitness and wellness room.
There is also a large team collaboration room as well as additional storage space.
There were upgrades to flooring throughout the school via a new ceramic tile installation. There is also an automated cleaning robot that will clean and scrub the floors overnight.
A connecting hallway from the old facility to the new was also installed.
The R.K. Smith upgrades come on the heels of a similar overhaul and addition at East Bank Head Start in Destrehan, another project covered by the 2022 bond issue.
An approximate 7,500 square foot addition was made to Head Start. The two-part project also included renovation of the existing Head Start facility to match. Like at R.K. Smith, a connecting hallway between the newly built and existing facilities was added.
The new building includes a dedicated receptionist lobby with an entry safety vestibule – Head Start was previously the lone public school site in the parish without one. There is now a dedicated student entry area separate to the visitors’ entry. A bus drop off canopy was added and there is additional parking with the new wing area. A conference room, office space, additional community restrooms and extra storage space was also added.
John Rome, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for St. Charles Parish Public Schools, thanked Superintendent Dr. Ken Oertling, the School Board, the local business industry and community for their support toward the project. He added the next project via the 2022 bond issue will see renovations and expansions to the Career and Technical Education facilities at Hahnville and Destrehan High Schools and at the Satellite Center.
