When students return to classes in Motley this fall, they will notice a number of changes to the school building, including a new main entrance area and an expanded library.

Construction at the Motley Staples Middle School and Motley Elementary began in mid-June; and Dean of Students Kevin Olsen hopes it will be finished by the time classes reconvene Sept. 7.

“It will be great once it’s done,” Olsen said, mentioning that this project will ensure greater security at the school, as well as add extra space for office areas and other rooms.

Comstock Construction (Fergus Falls) is the main contractor for the project; with DeChantal Excavation, LLC, Brainerd, hired to work on the main entrance area.

One of the major changes at the Motley school building will be its main entrance and office area.

The former main entrance - located at the southwest area of the school - will be pushed further west, as a new addition will be built on a portion of the existing parking lot.

A number of projects are underway this summer at Motley Staples Middle School and Motley Elementary; including building a new entryway/ office area and expanding the library. Pictured above, employees with DeChantal Excavating, LLC, of Brainerd, dug footings for the school’s future main entryway. Previously, tar from the current parking lot was removed. Pictured at right, Keith Stender with Comstock Construction, Fergus Falls, works to tear down walls in the former staff lounge of the Motley School. This space will now be a hallway outside the new main office area. (Staples World photos by Dawn Timbs) This new area will be the headquarters for the office staff; and includes office space for the Dean of Students, the school social worker and the school nurse.

A new hallway is included in the project; and an outside vestibule will offer shelter for people just arriving to the premises.

The library at Staples Motley Middle School is one of the areas at the school undergoing construction this summer. One wall has been removed, to allow for expansion and additional book shelves. Pictured above, from left, are school custodians Jeff Wicht, Kevin Klein (head custodian), Margaret Fisher and Brian Miller. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) “Anyone entering the school must come to this

entrance and check in with

the front office,” Olsen said. “That is the only way to get

inside, which will really help with security mea- sures.”

Walls will be knocked down in what is currently used as a conference room/ lounge to make room for the new hallway outside of the main office area.

A wall has been knocked down in the library, as well, which will provide additional space for those utilizing that room.

The Special Education area will now be located in the former main office area; and the staff lounge will be moved to what has been used in the past as a science classroom.

The former Special Education area will now be used as a second classroom for first graders.

There is some concern that construction might

not be finished by the first

day of school, Olsen said. “But, I don’t think it will be

anything we can’t handle; we’re just going to have to be flexible.”

Summer school is scheduled to begin July 19 and Olsen does not foresee any problems there. “The grade school wing is not going to be affected at all...most of our classes will be held in that area.”

For now, people coming to the school are asked to enter at the north entrance, Olsen said.