New Oak Knoll classrooms are “green”

The  new Oak Knoll 4th/5th grade classrooms and multipurpose facility are expected to be completed by the end of June.  The new buildings include many “green” features such as cool roofs, natural lighting, energy efficient mechanical systems, high recycled content materials, no formaldehyde products, low VOC materials and furniture, and water efficient fixtures.

The end of the new construction does not mean an end of work at the school. The next phase – removal of portable classrooms, modernization of existing rooms, and reconfiguration of the field, play structure, hard court area, and back parking lot – is characterized as “extensive and intense” by Menlo Park City School District officials. It will get underway when school lets out, with completion targeted for December 2010.

The District promises to “work closely with the contractor to minimize impacts to the [immediate] neighborhood,” which has seen its sidewalks clogged with construction vehicles for over a year. An informational meeting is planned for Wednesday, June 2, at 7:00 pm in the Oak Knoll library. Progress reports are available via email by signing up for the District mailing list.

Photo by Chris Gulker