Order photos

Akin gets a facelift

by | Jul 9, 2015 | Education

From Staff Reports

[email protected]

The 519 students of Akin Elementary will see a couple changes when they walk through the front doors for their first day of school in August.

The 26 year-old elementary will see construction addressing renovations, technology and security needs.

Roof work began May 26 by Saratoga Roofing. Additionally, the installation of hand dryers and the updating/replacing of plumbing fixtures began in May.

Security needs are being addressed through the badge system and the installation of access control.

“Keyless entry will cause some changes on how district employees enter the building,” Assistant Principal Barbara Davis said. “It will also allow the doors to be locked and unlocked at designated times, eliminating the need for someone to have to manually lock and unlock the doors.”

These changes will not affect how guests are greeted. Like in the past, guests will enter through the front doors and be directed into the front office. There, they will sign in through the automated system with their drivers license and receive a visitor’s badge they must wear throughout the building.

Technology upgrades include the addition of wireless access points, network upgrades, new network cabling, a new portable sound system for the choir room and upgrades to the network-switching closet. All of the projects are projected for completion in September.

In recent years Akin has seen attendance drop while the majority of Wylie schools tried not to burst at the seams. Due to the lack of new families moving into the area zoned for Akin, the elementary school had to downsize the classroom count. However, the school will see a steady increase in attendance as new home developments are built in its area.

“We are beginning to see an increase again,” Davis said. “We went from 6 units in all grade levels to five in some and four in others. The grade levels that dipped down to four are now beginning to show growth and move back up to five sections.  We are equipped to handle up to 6 sections in grade K-4, so I don’t see future growth as a problem for us.”

In May 2016, the district plans to replace the fire alarms, install LED parking lot lighting and upgrade digital signage. These projects are scheduled for completion in September 2016.

Construction throughout the district is under the management of Gallagher Construction Services with PBK Architects in charge of architecture.

For additional information on Akin Elementary construction

visit http://www.wylieisd.net/domain/2498.

Rotary Golf 2024

0 Comments

Related News

Award-winning illustrator visits GISD students

Award-winning illustrator visits GISD students

A.G. Ford, a New York Times bestselling children’s book illustrator and recipient of two NAACP Image Awards, visited Garland ISD students at four schools last week. The illustrator, a GISD graduate himself, said he enjoys paying it forward by speaking with students...

read more
Students recognized, election cancelled

Students recognized, election cancelled

With two trustee positions, Robert Selders Jr., Place 6, and Wesley Johnson, Place 7, running unopposed for the May 2024 Garland ISD Board of Trustees, the General Election was cancelled at the Tuesday, Feb. 27, regular meeting. Also at the meeting, a teacher and...

read more
Education foundation gears up for annual gala

Education foundation gears up for annual gala

Boots ’N Barbecue, the largest fundraiser for the Wylie ISD Education Foundation, may be sold out, but there are still opportunities to get involved. The event, set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, will happen at a new venue — the Plano Event Center— this year. Last...

read more
GISD’s dyslexia training center now accredited

GISD’s dyslexia training center now accredited

Garland ISD has achieved a long-awaited milestone that benefits educators and dyslexic students alike. The Dyslexia Therapist Training Center has achieved accreditation. This milestone for the GISD Dyslexia Department has been in the works since 2019 and will allow...

read more
Bond project updates presented

Bond project updates presented

The first regular Garland ISD board of trustees meeting of the year Tuesday, Jan. 23 included several updates for long-awaited projects at local schools. Javier Fernandez, Director of Facilities, Planning and Construction Services, presented a GISD Bond 2023 program...

read more
Community colleges adapt to new funding model

Community colleges adapt to new funding model

A bill signed into law by the governor in June 2023 reformed the state’s community college finance system. Shifting away from the previous enrollment metrics model, Texas House Bill 8 (HB 8) is an outcomes-based approach that rewards colleges for awarding degrees and...

read more
New law tough on student vaping

New law tough on student vaping

A new Texas law has brought steep punishments for students caught vaping on school campuses. Signed June 13 by Gov. Greg Abbott, House Bill 114 (HB 114) went into effect Sept. 1, weeks after the school year started.  With punishment previously at a district’s...

read more
Subscribe Love