New Cotaco School ready for students

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Cotaco's new Junior High School is almost ready for occupancy, according to Don Murphy, Morgan County superintendent of education.
A final inspection involving local and state school officials, the general contractor and architect was scheduled on Monday, Murphy said on Friday.
"Things are looking really good at this point," he pointed out.
"We've had no trouble. Pearce Construction Company of Huntsville has done an excellent job on the building."
He said 15 new classrooms will be turned over to teachers when the inspection punch list is resolved and the facility will be opened to students when school starts on Aug. 10.
Activity in the building last week consisted mostly of electrical and plumbing sub-contractors putting finishing touches to their work, and a maintenance crew cleaning floors.
"We're down to checking everything and making sure it works properly," said Robert Morgan, project superintendent. "Of course, we expect there will be a few things to do after the final inspection but for the most part we're through with our work."
The new school will accommodate grades 5-8. In addition to state of the art classrooms, the facility has a science lab, computer lab, administrative offices, teacher's lounge and workroom, mechanical room and storage areas.
The 25,000-sq. ft. building is constructed of brick, concrete block and structural metal. Field stone is mixed with brick to capture the look of the old school and the existing library building. The school's colors-gold and green-are depicted in a variation of patterns in the tile on hallway floors.
A gathering area joins the new building to the existing gymnasium and a covered walkway was added to facilitate the loading and unloading of students on buses at both the junior high and elementary school buildings.
Murphy said the facility will observe an open house on a future date to be announced.