Projects at Centertown and West Elementary are next on the agenda of upgrades as the school system looks to utilize its available ESSER funds.

A recently completed improvement is a $200,000 circle drive at the Central Office. The project was paid entirely by a grant with the goal of providing a COVID testing center at the Central Office.

The testing center will be headquartered in an addition to be built at the Central Office. Grant money will be used for construction of the COVID testing addition.

Those who are getting tested for COVID can remain in their vehicle.

“The circle drive is now complete,” announced Director of Schools Grant Swallows at last week’s School Board meeting. “We are now ready to become a COVID testing center. Grant money was used to complete this work. I hope we never have to do it, but if you’ve seen any news in Warren County recently you’ve seen an uptick in COVID cases.”

Swallows noted how the testing is a valuable service to those associated with Warren County Schools.

“We have tests available at this office, we have personnel available at this office so this will be something we continue to do like last year, offer free testing for our employees, our students, and so they will be able to circle now, stay in their car, be tested and then move on,” said Swallows. “We are looking at adding some square footage to this building in order to make that more accessible and again grant money is being used.”