While school is out of session this summer, improvement projects are underway at facilities around the Mehlville School District. These projects were recommended by the district’s Facilities Steering Committee, which identified facility improvements that would “best support students.”
The steering committee held a series of meetings throughout last spring and fall to review facility improvement projects: touring schools and giving recommendations for the capital facilities plan. According to the district, more than 80 people participated in the committee, while hundreds of others provided feedback on the survey.
Several projects have already been completed or are underway this summer. MOSAIC and Rogers elementary schools are both receiving roof replacements. Oakville and Blades elementary schools, Buerkle Middle School and Oakville High School will all see refinished parking lots.
Trautwein and Point elementary schools will both receive upgrades to their playgrounds this summer. Trautwein will have new equipment for students to play on, and the district has plans to install fencing around the playground to make it safer for children.
Gym floors are being replaced at Washington and Oakville middle schools. Meanwhile, work is happening at Oakville High School to replace the Tigers’ baseball and softball field — a project that includes turfing the field, constructing larger dugouts and adding a new shed to store equipment in. Mehlville is also in the design process for an upgraded athletics facility at Mehlville High School.
HVAC systems are being replaced at Beasley and Bierbaum elementary schools and Mehlville High School. According to the district, a couple of years ago, many of the facilities’ HVAC systems were as old as 20 or 30 years — the typical lifespan of an HVAC system is 15-20 years.
“At the completion of current work at Beasley, Bierbaum and MHS, all HVAC equipment in the district will be 10 years old or newer,” the district stated. “These updates will help the district avoid costly repairs associated with aging HVAC systems.”
Other approved projects that are either underway or scheduled include adding exterior lighting at 11 schools and district-wide keypad entries — both are intended to improve Mehlville’s safety and security. There will be library carpet replacements in the district, as well as restroom upgrades at Mehlville High School.