4J is spending more than $30 million this summer to improve the environments where students learn, socialize and play—with new air conditioning and playgrounds being the centerpieces of this season’s construction.

The district is paying for the projects using 2018 voter-approved bond proceeds and other capital funds—not operating dollars that pay educators’ salaries. 4J still has about $50 million in remaining bond proceeds to issue from the 2018 measure, meaning the district will have the funding to continue to keep up and improve its buildings and grounds in future years.

4J has finalized plans to install air conditioning in all of its school buildings that currently don’t have it, except South Eugene High School. Workers are installing new energy-efficient window systems and blinds at South Eugene, a multi-year project scheduled to wrap up next summer. The improvements will help students and staff keep cooler and improve the indoor learning environments as the projects are completed.

Air conditioning is being installed at Awbrey Park, Buena Vista, Charlemagne, Edgewood, Spring Creek, Willagillespie and Twin Oaks elementary schools, as well as Kelly, Kennedy and Monroe middle schools. Work was completed at Adams Elementary School, one of the district’s oldest school buildings, last spring. Additionally, the school board recently approved the contract to install cooling at Gilham Elementary School, the district’s largest elementary school.

The initiative is scheduled for completion in fall 2027. While not all areas of each school building will be cooled, the focus of air conditioning installation is on areas such as classrooms where students spend the most time.

4J is also investing in its playgrounds, as all elementary schools will have both a covered playground structure with updated play equipment by summer’s end. Workers have been installing the new equipment at about a half-dozen elementary schools this summer, including Awbrey Park, Edgewood, McCornack and Willagillespie. Similar work was completed at a dozen school sites last summer.

The addition of covered playground structures ensures students can enjoy recess outside year-round, protecting them from fall rains and late spring and summer sun. The new play equipment replaces old equipment and makes the areas more accessible and inclusive for students with disabilities, while reducing ongoing maintenance costs.

Other notable projects that 4J’s Facilities Department is managing this summer include:

• Installing new seats and applying fresh paint to Swede Johnson Stadium, North Eugene High School’s baseball venue
• Installing new rubberized track surface at Arts & Technology Academy and Madison middle schools
• Replacing the gym floor at McCornack Elementary School
• Replacing security cameras at all school sites
• Paving and sealing existing parking lots at numerous school sites