The Schnecksville school project, involving conversion of the storage area for the former Space Shuttle Blake to four classrooms, is nearly completed.

Rob Avitabile, senior project manager of Alvin H. Butz, Inc., commented on the work at the Aug. 20 Parkland School Board meeting.

“We started June 17 and will be done in time for this school year. It was a quick three months job,” Avitabile said.

He noted construction remains within the original cost estimate of $925,657.

For many years, the space shuttle model was housed in that section on the east side of the building, along with a simulated mission control center for children to use.

As the district no longer has the space shuttle, and enrollment is increasing, officials decided to install the new classrooms.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman stated one new class section was added at Schnecksville last term, and one new one will be in place this year.

Schnecksville Principal Damian Goodman reported the new rooms will house four second-grade classes this year.

He said the district plans a “sneak peak” 2:15-3:15 p.m. Aug. 29 for parents and second graders to see the rooms.

The rooms formerly used for second grade will house English as a Second Language classes, special instruction for reading and math, and a TV studio.

Troutman said the additional rooms will give flexibility next year when a major renovation of the Schnecksville building gets underway.

He noted classes always have to relocate during renovating activities, and the extra space will provide a temporary location until work in the permanent classrooms is completed.

Troutman said bringing the building up to code with the Americans With Disabilities Act will take significant effort.

“There’s steps everywhere,” said Troutman.

Details and a time frame for the Schnecksville renovation are still being formulated.

Goodman, who is starting his first term at Schnecksville following several years in other district administrative positions, commented.

“It’s been great to be a part of this project,” he said.