Interior work of Thomas Jefferson Elementary deemed substantially completed

Two phases of the Thomas Jefferson Elementary addition and renovation project were deemed substantially completed by the Newton School Board last week.

Rachelle Hines of FRK Architects + Engineers said the certificate of substantial completion excludes the exterior site work and mostly covers the interior work of the elementary building, including: the vestibules, corridors, classrooms, storage areas, reception area, principal’s office, SRO office and the flex office, etc.

Newton Community School District is nearing the end of its elementary building configuration, which administrators and officials said was needed to address the reductions in enrollment and revenue. As a result, the school board decided to move from four elementary buildings to two elementary buildings.

Thomas Jefferson and Aurora Heights will be the only remaining elementary buildings in the school district. Emerson Hough and Woodrow Wilson will eventually close their doors, stop accepting students and not be staffed. Still, the school district needed to make major changes to the remaining buildings.

In 2024, FRK Architects + Engineers unveiled the schematics of the Thomas Jefferson renovation and addition. The new addition is located on the northeast corner of the building. This addition added four new classrooms, and they are currently classified as fourth grade classrooms.

The approximately 5,200-square-foot addition increases the school’s capacity to around 500 students.

Thomas Jefferson Elementary is expected to have five sections of kindergarten and first grade and four sections of second, third and fourth grades. Architects said a lot of existing space will likely be reassigned to match those changes in grade sections, which is needed with the inclusion of more students.

Several portions of the existing building will remain untouched. For instance, there are no plans to renovate or reassign spaces like the media center, gym, art room, music room, cafeteria and kitchen. The bulk of the major renovations come in the administration suite, which would also move the entry to the building.

Reception will be directly connected to the front entrance vestibule, allowing for a more safe and secured entryway. The rest of the administration suite is composed of the nurse’s office, a flex office and the principal’s office. Architects said they also wanted to make the entrance more visible and inviting.

Other changes to the school affect the exterior space. Schematic designs show an expanded playground and a new parent drop-off lane on the west side of the building. The new bus drop-off will be located on the north side of the building next a new playground area. Parking capacity will be increased, too.