R.E. Smith Construction Company

Memorial School renovations are racing to completion and the facilities will be ready to greet students at Memorial School on Wednesday, August 18, according to Richard Nepote, Superintendent for RE Smith Construction, General Contractors for the Joplin School remodeling project.

“The bathrooms have all be gutted and retiled, with new fixtures, the entrances have been re-worked, new handicap access has been carved out, including the addition of elevator access on four levels,” Nepote said. “We are putting on the finishing touches and preparing the renovated facilities for students and teachers. The KONE Elevator is being custom made and will be installed by September 30.”

Deanna Hunter, Caseworker for Beacon School, said staff is preparing their new facilities at Memorial and is excited about the opening of school. “It is a lot of work to move,” Hunter said. “But the facilities are spacious, clean and bright. We are looking forward to greeting the kids here on Wednesday.”

Memorial School originally opened as Joplin High School on Monday, January 21, 1918, according to the Joplin Museum Complex. It has been renovated over the years to serve as a Junior College, High School, and Middle School. The current renovations were a part of the 2007 bond issue, according to Joplin School superintendent CJ Huff. The remodeled facility will house Joplin’s Early Childhood/Pre-school program, Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, Beacon School, the new Flex alternative program for Joplin High School, and professional development activities for staff. The gym will continue to be used for athletic activities as needed.

92 year old Memorial School building, located on 8^th Street between Wall and Pearl Avenue in Joplin, received its first precast concrete panels for a new elevator shaft, according to Dick Smith, president of RE Smith construction, General Contractor for the ongoing remodeling project at Memorial School. Renovations of the historic building are being funded by the 2007 bond issue, according to Joplin School superintendent CJ Huff.

Pre-cast panels were inserted by Romart, Inc. from Farmington, Arkansas, using a 150 ton crane. “The project should take us about two and a half days,” said Wayne Ellis, Romart Superintendent. “We have about 14 concrete panels to lower into place and weld together.” The shaft is being inserted into an existing interior building space, and will house an elevator for handicap access to all levels of the building. Once inserted into the shaft corridor, the precast panels are bolted and welded together, according to Richard Nepote, Project manager. KONE elevators from Kansas City will build a custom elevator on site after the shaft is completed, Nepote said.

No new taxes were used to fund the remodeling project, according to Joplin School superintendent CJ Huff. The remodeled facility will house Joplin’s Early Childhood/Pre-school program, Parents as Teachers (PAT) program, Beacon School, the new Flex alternative program for Joplin High School, and professional development activities for staff. The gym will continue to be used for athletic activities as needed.