Design work is underway for a new classroom building at Kealakehe Elementary School that’s expected to be ready for school year 2023-24.
Gov. David Ige on Monday released $14.9 million in capital improvement project funds allocated by the 2019 Legislature to construct the new, two-story classroom building on the K-5 campus in Kailua-Kona.
The building will include four general classrooms, a special education room and an outdoor classroom space, along with a faculty room, conference room, office space and support spaces, such as restrooms, storage and infrastructure rooms, said Derek Inoshita, a communications specialist with the state Department of Education.
“The project will incorporate natural lighting to minimize energy costs and high ceilings on the second floor to reduce heat retention and allow for greater ventilation,” he said. “Parking and road access will also be improved.”
The design phase is expected to wrap in about nine months, and barring any delays the building should be ready for pupils starting the school year in August 2023. Construction is anticipated to take approximately 16 months.
The new 7,056-square-foot classroom building will be constructed between the school’s cafeteria and building G.
In addition to giving students access to 21st Century Learning technologies, the state said the additional classrooms are needed to absorb projected student population growth in the area.
The department anticipated Kealakehe Elementary School’s enrollment to increase by 33 students by next year, according to a final environmental assessment for the project. In addition, growth at other schools in the area could require changes to school service boundaries, bringing more students to the school.
During the 2019-20 school year, 899 students were enrolled at the school, up from 868 in 2018-19 but down from 968 in 2017-18, according to state data. In recent years, enrollment was highest during the 2015-16 school year when the school’s student population registered at 1,014.
According to the school’s website, the campus was built in 1969 as Kealakehe School. By 1986, school enrollment topped 1,400 students, leading to the construction of Kealakehe Intermediate, which serves grades six through eight.