EAWR Announces Summer Facility Improvements-- Superintendent Miller

East Alton Wood River High School - will undertake several building improvements this summer aimed at strengthening student programs, modernizing aging areas of the facility, and making strategic investments in the long-term condition of the school.

The projects focus on spaces that directly support student learning and activities while also addressing maintenance needs that have developed over time. The goal is to ensure that school facilities keep pace with the programs and opportunities offered to EAWR students.

A major focus of this summer’s work will be improvements that benefit the school’s fine arts programs, including drama, music, and other performing arts activities. Additional projects will improve heavily used areas of the building such as corridors and stairwells, creating a brighter, safer, and more durable environment for students and staff.

Many of the improvements will be funded through Health Life Safety (HLS) funds, which are designated specifically for safety and facility upgrades, allowing the district to make meaningful improvements while remaining fiscally responsible.

Construction will take place throughout the summer months, with periodic updates provided as the work progresses.

Auditorium Renovation Highlights Summer Work

The largest project planned for the summer is a renovation of the EAWR auditorium, a space that has become one of the building’s most overdue areas for modernization and is essential to supporting the school’s drama, music, and fine arts programs.

The renovation will include new fixed seating, updated flooring, LED lighting upgrades, decorative wall sconces, painting of walls and ceilings, and updated sound controls.

These improvements will enhance the performance environment for students involved in theater productions, band and choir concerts, and other fine arts activities, while also improving comfort and functionality for audiences attending school events.

In addition to the physical renovation, the auditorium will receive a new professional-grade sound system featuring modern speakers, digital audio mixing technology, and wireless microphones to improve sound clarity during performances and presentations.

Corridor Improvements in High-Traffic Areas

Several improvements will also take place in the south building corridors, where large numbers of students pass through each day.

The corridor flooring will be replaced with a high-performance epoxy floor system following regulated asbestos abatement. The new seamless flooring will provide long-term durability and easier maintenance while improving the overall appearance of the space.

Additional corridor updates will include:

• New LED lighting

• Ceiling painting

• Refinishing of existing tile surfaces

These upgrades will create brighter, more welcoming hallways while also reducing long-term energy and maintenance costs.

Stairwell Improvements for Safety and Appearance

Work will also take place in the east building stairwells, where existing ceramic tile walls will be resurfaced using bonding primers and durable epoxy coatings.

The improvements will enhance cleanliness, increase durability, and improve the appearance of these heavily used areas of the building.

Strategic Investment in School Facilities

The projects were selected through a planning process that prioritized student impact, long-term durability, facility maintenance needs, and fiscal responsibility.

By investing in multiple high-traffic areas of the building, the district aims to improve spaces used by students and staff every day while also addressing aging materials and reducing future maintenance needs.

Construction Begins After School Year Ends

Most of the work is scheduled to take place during the summer months so that projects can be completed before students return in August.

The district plans to provide periodic updates throughout the summer as construction progresses and improvements begin to take shape.

The facility improvements are expected to enhance the overall student experience, strengthen the school’s physical environment, and support the continued growth of EAWR programs and activities.