Construction is expected to begin Sept. 29 in rebuilding of the south wing of Calhoun Middle School — the only building to be demolished and upgraded on the campus.

Courtesy photo/Austin Morrison

Calhoun Middle School’s south building is demolished earlier this month. It’ll be replaced by a new two-story building with 16 classrooms, three science rooms, a gym and locker room, scheduled for completion in May.

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Built in 1937, the south building, located along Denton and Mounts streets, was demolished earlier this month to be replaced with a two-story building with 16 classrooms, three science rooms, a gym and locker room. Construction is scheduled for completion in May 2009.

Norm Sisk, executive director of facilities for the Denton school district, said construction and structural issues of the south building made it impractical to renovate. New upgrades being made to the campus were not conducive to the former structure, and the best option was to demolish the building and start from the ground up, he said.

“It’s well overdue that the building be replaced, and once the new building is built, it will be another jewel in the crown of Calhoun Middle School,” Sisk said. “I think the students and staff are going to be very pleased when we finish that building. It is going to be unlike anything they’ve ever occupied before.”

Rod Reeves, school district coordinator of facilities, said a desire to salvage and preserve the building and apply to make it a state historical landmark along with the campus’ main building fell through last year when it was determined that elements over time had taken a toll on the facility.

A $282 million bond package passed last November, which designated $10.7 million for upgrades to Calhoun, made it possible for the district to destroy the old south building and replace it, he said. The main priority was ensuring that the facility was “a safe and healthy environment for students,” Reeves said.

While workers from Charter-Heery Builders Ltd. are onsite throughout the school year constructing the new facility, Reeves said a major concern is maintaining the safety and welfare of students and staff. All debris is expected to be removed before the start of the school year.

Reeves said he anticipates the construction’s end product to be something that enhances the campus.

“I feel very happy about it,” he said. “I can’t wait to see the final product.”

In addition to the new south building, an upgrade will be made to the school’s McAllister gymnasium. The project will also add a courtyard facing Calhoun’s main building, located on Congress Street. Other additions to the campus will include light and retro-style fixtures, security upgrades, can­o­pies connecting the buildings across campus, and floor re­placement in the main building. Reeves said the district also is looking at options for making the campus more energy-efficient.

Beth Stribling, chairwoman of the historical marker committee for the Denton County Historical Commission, said demolition of the south building would not affect her organization’s decision to apply to make Calhoun’s main building a Recorded Texas Historic Land­mark.

The committee will move forward with submitting an application to the Texas Historical Commission for the main building. For each building separate from the main building that the organization would like to submit for consideration to have a recorded state marker, an additional application would have to be submitted to the state commission, she said.

The Texas Historical Com­mis­sion will start accepting applications for the 2009 year in October. All landmarks being considered by the state must be at least 50 years old, in good condition, historically and architecturally significant, and representative of the era it’s being marked for, Stribling said. Plans to enter Calhoun’s main building — which opened in 1924 — as a candidate for a state recorded landmark, were approved by Denton school officials in January.

Sisk said completing the rebuilding of the south building is something the district as well as the staff of Calhoun is looking forward to. From the north end to the south end, finishing construction of the facility “will complete the campus,” he said.

“I think the kids will really enjoy it.”

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .