The beeping of machines outside classrooms, the banging of hammers on roofs and the whirring of tools and equipment were all sounds heard throughout Edwardsville and Glen Carbon this summer.
They were the sounds of District 7, when almost every school faced some degree of construction or renovation.
The work has been an effort in adapting to the growing needs of the community. With greater populations, a desire for greater safety precautions and a need for updated facilities, these changes are meant to both benefit students and meet those needs.
What happened?
Construction began during the ‘24-’25 school year and continued into the summer.
Lincoln Middle School received a 60,000 square foot addition, which includes a gym, library, commons and classrooms. The original 1925 portion of the building has been left intact, but the expansion will allow for easier navigation and more space for the ever-growing student body, according to the district Construction Updates.
Though the returning Lincoln students will get to experience all of these changes, many freshmen wish they could have been around for the results of the construction.
“It was a little disappointing to know I wouldn’t get to see what the finished product was,” freshman Penelope Marriott said.
EHS received an 8,000 square foot addition, almost doubling the size of the original cafeteria. The main bathrooms were remodeled to be larger, more open and gender neutral, and the main gym floor was redone after the sewer lateral underneath it had rusted and caused buckling last year.
“[My experience at school] has been made so much better because of the renovations,” senior Aidan Gallaher said. “Between the halls now being easier to get through or now having more options for lunch makes it amazing.”
Woodland Elementary received a partial reconstruction of the front stairs, as well as a new ramp leading into the lobby. The sidewalk in front of the building has also been remodeled into the shared-use path begun last February that connects Center Grove Road and Schwarz Street.
Additionally, Columbus Elementary received a new playground, Hamel Elementary and Nelson Elementary underwent asbestos abatement, Leclaire Elementary’s asphalt was resealed and all seven schools were equipped with secure double entries.
Goals and outcomes
The district’s goal with these changes was to benefit students and create better learning environments.
“As a district, we are incredibly grateful to be part of a community that recognizes the importance of investing in our students and schools,” superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton said in a press release. “This project encompasses a range of improvements that will have a profound impact on the overall learning experience of our students.”
Many students are excited about the changes, and feel that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
“When I started school I found out that it was all worth it,” freshman Bella Pizziferro said. “With larger commons I felt so happy because I could finally sit somewhere with my friends, and in the bathrooms I could finally get some privacy.”
However, there were still drawbacks.
“One time, I was taking a test and heard the drilling, and I couldn’t focus,” Pizziferro said. “It was pretty distracting, especially when they set off alarms on accident.”
With the largest portion of construction over with, students are able to utilize the new additions and return to a normal environment.
“I am so glad that they added these things,” Pizziferro said. “Being a freshman in high school, the construction has made it more fun.”