Mt. Vernon Register-News

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October 16, 2012

Construction starts at Casey Middle School

The start of construction will mean several changes for staff, students and parents at the school

By ROSIE GITHINJI rosie.githinji@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — — With construction expected to last through the end of the school year at Zadok Casey Middle School, there are some changes students, parents and staff will have to adjust to.

Casey Middle School Principal Mary McGreer said students and parents will not have use of the east side of the campus. The circle drive will no longer be used to drop off and pick up children and the buses will be loading and off loading children on 19th street. The parking lot is also going to be closed at 3 p.m. each day, so parents will not be able use that parking lot to pick up their children.

“We ask for your patience and flexibility through this process,” McGreer wrote in a letter sent to the parents.

McGreer said parents are asked to go through the 7 Maroon hallway to 18th street or use the overpass and park across the road from the school.

“We really wanted to have a plan that kept the children in close proximity to the school... and kept them safest,” McGreer said. “I think the payoff for our students will be well worth the trials for this year.”

McGreer said the students used the amphitheater on the east side of the campus as a place to congregate before school began each day and to make up for the loss of the area, the gym will be open to students at 7:45 a.m.

McGreer has also met with Lt. Donny Hayes, with the Mt. Vernon Fire Department, to map out new exits in the case of a fire, and also with the school safety officer, Jim Hawkins to make sure everything is safe for the students as well. She has also met Holland Construction company about safety concerns.

“So far, the construction company we are working with has been helpful and accommodating,” McGreer said. “The safety of the students is priority.”

McGreer said visitors to the school need to keep in mind that while construction is going on, there will be limited parking. This means during games, programs and events such as the parent-teacher conferences on Oct. 23 and 29, people may have to be creative when looking for parking.

“I just ask for patience and flexibility,” McGreer said. She suggests parents and visitors carpool or park across the street and walk to the school when events are scheduled.

“As of now, if construction goes well, we will have new construction and renovations ready to go for the 2013 school year,” she said.

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TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
Mt. Vernon Police blocked a portion of North Ninth Street Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. after reports the brick facade of the apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Maple streets was falling to the ground. The bricks took out cable lines, awnings and were landing on the street.