Converting library to additional gym will help meet physical education requirements
Originally published April 27, 2019 in the Lockport Union-Sun and Journal.
By Connor Hoffman
In an effort to meet education regulations, Charles Upson Elementary School will be changing the library into a second gymnasium.
The school board was given a presentation on the project last week.
Board President John Linderman said the district has mandates for the number of hours that students are required to participate in physical education and Charles Upson was having “some difficulty meeting that requirement with the space they have.”
So, the district will be converting the current library into a gym, which won’t be too difficult because the library actually used to be a gym. Since the library used to be a gym, the project will not cost much, Deborah Coder, assistant superintendent of finance and management services, said. It won’t require another company to perform the work and it will be performed by district personnel, Coder added.
Michael Sobieraski, district physical education director, said the new gym will “allow us more flexibility in scheduling,” and “it will enhance the curriculum.”
Charles Upson Principal Jennifer Gilson said the library will be moved into a classroom, which she believes will allow the school’s library to be more student friendly.
The work is anticipated to be started at the end of June, and be finished by September.
Linderman said the new gym space will be used for lower activity physical education exercises.
Trustee Heather Hare asked if the librarian was OK with the change and Gilson said they were. Trustee Karen Young asked if they had the classroom available, and Gilson said they don’t currently but that they can make one available with some moving around.
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