Craig Daily Press

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Exposed wall at Craig Middle School.

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Joel Sheridan, former assistant superintendent, opens a door Wednesday at Craig Middle School.

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Trenia Reece, of Black Mountain Glass, preps windows Wednesday to be installed at East Elementary School.

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Juan Flores, of IMS Masonry, works Wednesday at Craig Middle School.

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Juan Elizalde, of Air Comfort, installs heating, ventilation and air conditioning into the ceiling Wednesday in the cafeteria at Ridgeview Elementary School.

Craig — If taxpayers want to see where some of their dollars are being put to work at Ridgeview Elementary School, they should look up, said Joel Sheridan, Moffat County School District construction liaison.

Sheridan, former assistant superintendent, was referring to the ventilation system at the elementary school.

However, by the time students return to school Sept. 2, the system will be hidden from the view of students and teachers.

“In a way, this looks like much ado about nothing,” Sheridan said.

The case is the same with various projects across the school district. Much of the work under way at Ridgeview and East elementary schools and Craig Middle School will not be noticeable to returning teachers or students.

“A lot you’re never going to see when it’s done,” Sheridan said, because walls and ceiling tiles will conceal it.

However, the energy, heath, technology and general maintenance projects at Ridgeview and other schools throughout the district are a necessity, he said, that couldn’t be addressed either by the school district’s capital or operating budgets.

In November 2007, voters approved a $29.5 million bond issue for facility and technology upgrades in buildings across the district. About $1.4 million of that sum was earmarked for district technology upgrades.

The idea of the bond issue began with various projects, including roof repairs and technology upgrades.

“That’s what got us started on this,” Sheridan said.

Part of the bond issue plan includes transforming a music classroom at Ridgeview into a preschool room. This year, the preschool program is scheduled to pilot the school district’s new configuration, which will move preschool classes from the district’s administrative building to elementary schools throughout the district.

On Wednesday, the future preschool room held telltale signs of a space in transition. Crews had installed new tile on the walls of the preschool’s bathroom. At the same time, drawings of music notes remained on a blue chalkboard nearby.

Like Ridgeview, East Elemen­tary School is receiving upgrades to its ventilation system, which will bring fresh air to the classrooms.

Another, more noticeable addition is under way at East. A new cafeteria addition waits to be enclosed with walls. The addition is scheduled for an Oct. 15 opening.

The existing cafeteria space, Sheridan said, is being converted to space for counseling and special education offices.

A new roof will cover East Elementary School, but the Ridgeview roof may have to wait. The school district is waiting to hear back on a Department of Local Affairs grant to cover the expenses.

Secure entrances also will be added at in the district schools, Sheridan said, and visitors will need to receive clearance at the door before entering each building.

At Craig Middle School, residents probably won’t see new construction until after school begins in September, Sheridan said.

Still, like at the district’s elementary schools, much of the work under way is hidden from view. Demolition of the building’s south wing is finished, and new mechanical upgrades are under way in the building.

The most visible aspect of progress at the middle school is the arrival of four modulars at the site. Three of the temporary structures will each hold two classrooms. The modular housing the science facilities will be equipped with running water and a restroom. The fourth modular will contain the school’s administrative offices.

Next year, parents will use the middle school’s north parking lot to pick up and drop off their children, Sheridan said.

Ultimately, he said, district schools should be ready to accept students before school begins.