CHESAPEAKE – Three years have passed since Chesapeake residents passed a $2.

Tuesday, April 03, 2001

CHESAPEAKE – Three years have passed since Chesapeake residents passed a $2.4 million maintenance levy securing state funds for the school system. The residents will soon be able to see a payout on the project.

Chesapeake superintendent Fred Wood said at the end of the project, renovations will be made to the elementary school, the high school and a new middle school will replace the building currently used.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held in October kicking-off the construction of the 63,000 square-foot building. Wood said the district is still targeting the completion date for Christmas of this year.

"That’s pretty ambitious," Wood said.

Currently, middle school students are housed in the old high school that was built in 1955. The old high school was replaced about 12 years ago when a new high school was constructed.

Wood said the new middle school will contain a 3,000 square-foot cafeteria, central heating and air, more classrooms and a library. Wood added that the school will be designed for middle school students with age appropriate furniture.

Wood said the new middle school will also provide a safer and cleaner atmosphere. He said the new building will also instill more pride in the school and offer a better learning environment.

Construction has also begun at the high school. Two new classrooms, an elevator and an extension of the music room is on tap for the 12-year-old school. Wood said new carpet, new lighting, a sprinkler system, new ceilings and a new heating and air unit will be installed at the high school during the summer. Wood said the projects at the high school will be completed this summer.

After the high school project is completed and the middle school is built, plans are in the works to do renovations and additions to the elementary school.

Wood said when all of the construction is completed, it will be the first time Chesapeake has had all new schools.