Progress is happening in more ways than one at the Sulphur Public Schools.
The bond project progression is becoming more and more visible with the back of the auditorium going up as well as steel work on the north end for the gymnasium.
The bond project, which was delayed in the early stages due to legal issues with the state and local codes, is now full steam ahead.
When completed, the school will have a new auditorium, new gymnasium, several career tech classrooms as well as additional classrooms for the high school.
Sulphur schools campus suffered significant tornado damage on April 27 at many of the buildings and on the grounds.
Even though total repairs could take up to a year to complete, according to Superintendent Matt Holder, some of the damage is already repaired or in progress.
Holder said board members approved a calendar change at the July board meeting to allow school to start one week later than originally planned so repairs in the high school could be completed before the start of school. School will now begin on August 15.
Holder said sheet rock and flooring are in the process of being done in the high school.
Also damaged in the storm was the districts bus fleet. Holder said four new buses should be online before the August start date and two more are on order for delivery in late September or early October.
He said the district will be able to accommodate all bus routes and activities when school commences.
The bus/maintenance barn compound, destroyed in the tornado, will now be moved over to the grounds of the armory.
Holder said perimeter fencing and fencing around the football field area as well as the outfield fence on the softball field are the next projects to be completed before the start of school.
Lastly, the superintendent and staff offices have been moved to former Chickasaw Head Start Building, located at 1201 West 9th Street.
The building was donated to the district by the Chickasaw Nation. The campus resource officer and the school IT department will be located in the previous location.
Holder said he is pleased with the progress and changes being made and looks forward to a good year for students and staff.
