Work ramps up on Maize Middle School project

Construction is in high gear at Maize Middle School this month, as crews work to renovate and expand the school.

“Everything is on schedule and on budget, which is good news,” said Lori O’Toole Buselt, spokeswoman for the Maize district.

“It’s really exciting to drive down Maize Road and see how much has changed even just since summer break started.”

The middle school project, which broke ground in March, is the first major part of the district’s $70.7 million bond issue that voters approved last summer.

Plans call for expanding Maize Middle School by about 40,000 square feet, increasing its capacity from 750 to 900 students. A drone video produced by Hutton Construction shows the footing for a stage being built as part of the school’s new “cafetorium,” Buselt said.

Other bond projects include:

▪ A $9 million career and professional center at Maize High, which would serve all district students

▪ A new Early Childhood Center designed to accommodate 300 pre-schoolers and the district’s Parents as Teachers programs, estimated at $6.7 million

▪ A new transportation facility for the district’s 110 buses and vans, with lifts and other equipment, estimated at $4.2 million

▪ Additions and improvements to Maize South High, including an expanded cafeteria, counseling, science, special education, fine arts storage and gym lobby

▪ Roof replacements, technology upgrades and infrastructure improvements at various buildings

▪ A Federal Emergency Management Agency-approved storm shelter at Maize High, which would cost about $1.9 million.

Hutton was selected as the district’s construction at-risk manager. Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture is the architect. A construction timeline developed by the companies shows work continuing through 2018.

The Maize Middle School project is projected to be complete in the spring of 2017, and students would start using the new space the following fall, Buselt said.

“Our two middle schools are nearing capacity, and we’re expecting our student enrollment to grow. There’s so much residential boom right now,” she said. “So it’s an exciting time for Maize and northwest Wichita.”

This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 8:49 AM with the headline "Work ramps up on Maize Middle School project."