In September 2001, Lawton Community School voters passed two bond issues, the first of which provided for additions and renovations to the high school building and site. The second bond issue approved was for the construction of a new middle school along with limited renovation work to be done to

Most of the work centered on the construction of a new middle school for the community. The middle school was recently completed at a cost of approximately $13.4 million. Site work totaling approximately $3.1 million involved putting in new driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, playfields, utility work, site lighting, and storm retention facilities.

The new middle school, which is just to the west of the high school, involved 62,615 square feet of new construction and called for building 15 new teaching stations comprised of nine major classrooms; two new science laboratories; art, band and choral music rooms; and a 75-foot by 102-foot gymnasium. Additional rooms in the school involved a designated three-room-special education area; a computer laboratory; a media center; two locker rooms; a cafeteria; and a kitchen/receiving area.

The construction manager for the project was the Skillman Corp., of Grand Rapids. The architectural/engineering firm was Tower Pinkster Titus Associates, Inc. (TPTA), of Kalamazoo.

The new Lawton Middle School design incorporates a change in instructional method from a junior high concept to a true middle school concept, with separate wings for each grade level and common exploratory areas. Taking instruction into the future, each classroom is wired for distance learning capabilities and will incorporate furnishings that are easily moveable for room flexibility.

The new middle school is a two-story masonry building with both sloped shingled roof and low-slope membrane roofing. A separate boiler plant and utility tunnel are also included in the project, which was built to accommodate both the middle and adjacent high school buildings. The building's mechanical and electrical systems are managed by using direct digital controls, and controlled access to the facility is provided.

Entry walks include a snowmelt system to assist in maintenance and safety concerns. Site work has included re-shaping a hillside, which was formerly a grape vineyard. The topography falls some 65 feet within the limits of the project. The work on the project also involved storm water management, utility placement, parking for 208 cars, a separate bus loop/receiving area, two athletic fields, an outdoor patio, and recreation basketball courts.

There is easy access to the adjacent high school from the middle school, which allows for shared use of facilities and staff. As the middle school construction neared completion, the high school students and staff occupied the new building. The high school renovations will be completed in December, and the students will move back to the high school. The first class of new middle school students will begin their studies.

Major contractors that worked on the project included: Ahrens Construction Co.; American Furniture; Architectural Systems; Aria Show Technology; Balkema Excavating; Battle Creek Glass Works; Bracy Masonry; Builder Iron; Burgess Concrete; County Line Nurseries; C R Equipment Sales; Great Lakes West; H & H Painting; Interkal, Inc.; Mall City Mechanical; McDaniel Fire Systems; Midwest Air Balancing; Midwest Tile & Interiors; Moore Electrical; Penco Products; R.W. LaPine; Richard Goff Roofing; Sobie Co.; and Wolverine Interiors.

Personnel involved in the project for Skillman Corp. included Steve Koop, the project manager; Joe Camp, the site manager; and Norb Drobot, the account executive.

TPTA personnel included Tom Mathison, the principal-in-charge, and Tom Kloosterman, the project architect (manager). Other TPTA personnel included Eric Hackman, project designer; Kent Bakeman, job captain; Bob Henke, mechanical designer; Don White, electrical engineer; Rebecca Meggs, interior designer; and Randy Lee, site design.

Consultants for the project were JDH Engineering (structural engineer); and J.Riemenschneider, (food service design).