Work on the renovations and additions at two Newton Elementary Schools continues to move forward on schedule. Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger provided the school board an update on the most recent work at each building during this week’s school board meeting. At Thomas Jefferson Elementary, some walls are up on the addition and roof steel has been delivered. Messenger says they are also preparing the interior for underground conduit and concrete installation. At Aurora Heights Elementary, work continues inside the building.

“Mechanical contractors are still installing new water lines and running new duct work. The kitchen remodel has started with floor and wall demolition. A gas line reroute has been approved and materials are about two to three weeks out on that.”

Newton’s Aurora Heights and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools are getting additions and renovations as the district transitions from four to two elementary schools. When the projects are completed, both schools will be capable of handling up to 500 pre-kindergarten through 4th grade students. The District’s two other elementary schools, Emerson Hough and Woodrow Wilson, will close after the 2025-2026 school year due to a longstanding trend of declining enrollment.