School Board approves high school library redesign, considering adding outdoor learning space

Principal Ron Abel presented several shots of what the new library layout would look like. The board unanimously approved moving forward with the project.

BY SYDNEY HOOVER

Eudora High School will soon have a newly renovated library aimed at being a flexible learning space for students.

The School Board approved $51,850 for the project Thursday at a regular board meeting. This will fund the renovations in addition to Eudora Schools Foundation donations, grant money and state coronavirus recovery funding.

In total, about $105,000 will go toward the project, which is phase one of a series of renovations going into the high school.

“I do feel like what you’re going to see in here is very impressive,” said Principal Ron Abel.

The board unanimously approved the $51,850 allocation from a capital fund to renovate parts of the high school. Phase two will include working on locker spaces.

The renovation will include new flexible learning furniture throughout the library. The furniture is mobile and can be rearranged as needed for different classes and groups.

Additionally, the school will add a flexible learning room into the library as a small classroom with a TV and similar moveable tables. The circulation desk will also be altered to make the desk more accessible, as it is currently not used at all due to the area being overly

crowded.

“It just really looks good to me, in my opinion,” Abel said. “Very impressed with that.”

Work on the project will begin Dec. 23 and should be complete Jan. 4.

In other news, Abel also pitched a new outdoor learning space at the high school to the board.

The learning space would be similar to one already at Eudora Elementary and would be located between the high school and the EDTEC building.

Abel asked the board to consider approving the high school to continue pursuing a Live Well grant to fund the project. The school district’s project commitment would be around $3,000 of the $25,000 total.

“The obvious advantage of having that outdoor learning area basically is to be able to get kids in an outside environment and use that learning space productively in a little bit more safe environment than what we would have in a classroom area,” Abel said.

The board did not take action on the proposal Thursday. Board members will reconvene for a regularly scheduled board meeting Nov. 12.

Reach reporter Sydney Hoover at eudoratimes@gmail.com.

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