By SCOTT POWELL
Ledger Staff Writer

Contractor Noble Construction is 80 percent finished with the metal framing for the administration offices, media center and kindergarten rooms being built in front of Alma Elementary School. The project is scheduled for completion this summer.

The Alma Elementary School kitchen is nearly complete and will likely begin operations in mid-May around the time state testing begins.

Contractor Noble Construction has completed the interior and placed the hood for the kitchen, Southern Management Senior Project Manager Jim Britton said. The remaining new kitchen equipment is scheduled to be installed next week.

“We hope to receive a certificate of occupancy for the kitchen around May 2,” Britton said. “This would allow the new kitchen to be operational by mid May.”

Workers gutted the Alma Elementary kitchen over the summer as part of state-required asbestos removal before the construction project bid was awarded in November. The old kitchen has been converted into a serving area.

A new kitchen building was constructed behind the cafeteria. Cafeteria workers have prepared meals at the Cherokee Technology Center and served them in the Alma Elementary cafeteria since school started.

The kitchen and a newly renovated multipurpose room are part of a $1.8 million construction program at Alma Elementary.

The school will hold a state Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT) rally May 6 in the multipurpose room. With fun teacher skits and timely test-taking tips, the PACT rally will focus on giving students confidence to do well on PACT testing scheduled for May 11-23.

The construction at Alma Elementary has made the front entrance barely visible from the road.

Noble Construction has completed about 80 percent of the metal framing for two kindergarten rooms, a new administration and media center in front of the current school, Britton said. A bell tower will serve as the new entrance area for students.

The Alma Elementary construction project is scheduled for completion this summer.