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Larimore School Celebrates Grand Re-opening Aug. 12
For the last year, Larimore Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District has undergone major construction. Students, parents and community members will have the opportunity to view the new features, inside and out, when the school celebrates its grand re-opening Thursday, Aug. 12
“We tried to breathe new life into the building and move into the future while respecting the past,” said Dwight Lindhorst, assistant superintendent for finance and facilities. “We are extremely happy with the additions and renovations. The District’s elementary schools all now have similar features and amenities.”
“I think we have changed the face of the school for the better,” said Tom Mangogna, the district’s construction project manager.
Outside, Mangogna said Larimore has a new and expanded parking lot and student drop-off area. New heating, ventilation and air conditioning units perch on the roof. There is a new, 450-foot long sidewalk along the school’s eastern border with Madrid Avenue and new campus landscaping. The building has new gutters and downspouts, the new front façade sports new windows and a ramp that meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. This fall, the school will receive new playground equipment.
Inside, there is a renovated main office, nurse’s office, a larger and renovated computer lab, a new media center that meets state standards and two new classrooms. The former library/media center has been divided into two more classrooms. All renovated school offices have had the asbestos tile removed. The two sets of restrooms on the school’s west side have been renovated to be ADA-compliant and the offices and special-use rooms along the east wing have been renovated. Sound-absorbing acoustic panels have been added to the music rooms and there are new marker boards and tack boards in many rooms.
The current Larimore Elementary School dates back to 1941, when it contained two classrooms, auditorium and a library. More classrooms, a multi-purpose room and a gymnasium have been added since the 1950s, including a major renovation in 1976.
The renovations at Larimore Elementary School will complete Phase II of the district’s long-range facilities plan. Phase II projects were made possible by voter approval of a bond issue in 2006. The Hazelwood 1st participants have recommended a $120 million no-tax-rate increase bond election for November to fund Phase III of the District’s long-range facilities plan.
