Why Do Kane & Wilson need new entries?

Post Date: May 21, 2021

Bartlesville's elementary schools range from 36 to 64 years old.

Each of them has had additions over the years, including significant improvements to the lobbies and offices at Ranch Heights & Wayside. Large high lobbies are not only attractive but also functional for a variety of activities, for students awaiting pick-up, etc.

Enhanced entry at Ranch Heights

High foyer at Ranch Heights

Wilson Elementary was built in 1957 and its current long, low, and dark entryway cover probably dates back to 1984.

The bond issue would expand the offices and provide a dramatic high glass-walled lobby with extended cover, plus a side curtain wall with access to an outdoor seating area off the lobby. Color accenting along the existing large blank north gym wall, similar to color panels used at Hoover Elementary, will also improve the appearance of the school.

Richard Kane Elementary was constructed in 1985. Its main entry has a low porch and its offices are so cramped that the teachers' lounge was subdivided to create more space.

The bond issue would expand the offices, restore the teachers' lounge, and provide a dramatic high glass-walled lobby and extended cover. The north roof edging would be improved and the unsightly HVAC tower would be obscured.

Other Elementary School Facility Improvements

Gym Floors

The bond issue also includes important other improvements for all of the six elementary schools.

While Jane Phillips & Richard Kane have attractive wood gym floors which just need periodic refinishing, the other four elementary school gyms need help.

  • Hoover, Ranch Heights, Wayside, and Wilson will get new gym floors, replacing hard vinyl composition tile with a more functional and attractive resinous material like that shown below.

Four of the elementary gyms currently have hard vinyl composition tile floors

The vinyl tile flooring is wearing out, with problematic bumps, ripples, and scars

Lighting & Clocks

The corridor and classroom lighting in all of the schools would be updated to more efficient LED bulbs which are less expensive to operate and maintain.

Digital clocks synchronized to internet time would be installed in all of the elementary and middle schools.

Exterior Digital Signs

The bond would provide each school with a modern digital exterior marquee, replacing the aging plastic signs with manually changed plastic letters.

HOOVER

  • Driveway bollards, exterior siding repairs, parking lot lighting

JANE PHILLIPS

  • Exterior doors & playground equipment via federal funding

RANCH HEIGHTS

  • Hallway lockers/storage

WAYSIDE

  • Stage curtains, gym bleachers, student pick-up cover, parking surfacing