ESSER funding provides flooring upgrades
The Gadsden (Arizona) Elementary District has used Covid relief funds to install new carpeting at Arizona Desert Elementary School in San Luis, as well as new luxury vinyl tile in three of the district's schools.
The district says in a news release that the carpet installation is a response to concerns about the cleanliness of the old carpet and how it might affect the health and well-being of students.
"The improved flooring provies a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for students and staff," the district says. "The softness underfoot can help reduce fatigue druing long periods of standing or walking, promoting better concentration and focus in the classroom."
The gymansium flooring installations were carried out at Arizona Desert Elementary, Ed Pastor Elementary, and San Luis Middle.
"We are thrilled to introduce our new innovative gym flooring for our schools," said Lizette Esparza, Gadsen Superintendent. "Many of the carpet floors were torn, which can cause many accidents for our students, and it was becoming a hazard since carpets tend to collect many germs and dust. We believe this flooring system will greatly benefit our schools and contribute to the overall well-being of our students."
The district used Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for the upgrades: $133,404 in for the new carpet and $158,471 for the gym floors.
New gym floor—again—for West Virginia high school
Capital High School in Charleston, West Virginia, had to install a new gymnasium floor for a second time earlier this school year.
WCHS-TV reports that the gym floor was being replaced over the summer after more than 30 years. The job was nearly finished in August, when a small fire in a school hallway set off sprinklers for about an hour and a half. The water damage ruined the new floor.
"We were literally within a week of having the entire floor done, and being able to get on it for preseason," Boys Basketball Coach Matt Greene said.
The damage left school teams without a place to play their indoor sports for several months.
The ruined floor cost about $250,000 to install. The new one was covered by the contractor's insurance, and was completed in a matter of months. The first game on the new floor took place in December.
"I actually like this version better than the one that had gotten ruined before," Greene said.
Broken pipe ruins gymnasium floor at Arizona high school
Bisbee High School in Bisbee, Arizona, is carrying out repairs of its gymnasium floor after it sustained damage from a broken water pipe.
The Sierra Vista Herald reports the damaged floor has been removed and a new maple wood floor is being installed.
“The main floor has been installed, then they have to pull out the bleachers, replace the floor there and push the bleaches back and then they can start the finishing product,” Bisbee High Principal John Watts said.
The damage to the gym floor occurred over the Christmas holiday, forcing the school's boys and girls basketball teams to find other locations to play their remaining home games.
Watts says the target date for completion is April.
