EASLEY — New Carolina Construction of Greenville has been selected as contractor for the renovations at Crosswell, Forest Acres and East End elementary schools as part of the Pickens County School District’s elementary building projects.

The board approved the total project of $1,847,000 during a called meeting held last week at the school district office. New Carolina submitted a low bid of $1,799,000, with a kitchen hood replacement at Crosswell Elementary costing an additional $48,000.

Renovation of the schools will include upgrades to safety and security, technology and heating, ventilation and cooling systems.

Crosswell Elementary School will feature the replacement of door hardware, enclosing the main computer distribution frame and providing mechanical cooling, upgrading electrical systems in classrooms to accommodate new computer technology, miscellaneous technology upgrades, replacement of mechanical ductwork in the multipurpose room and repairing the fresh air makeup system at the kitchen hood. The proposed new additions consist of two general classrooms.

Renovations for Forest Acres Elementary School include reworking the general office to make a secured entry, expansion of the nurses station, reconfiguring areas behind the general office to allow better flow and utilization of office space, subdividing a classroom on the kindergarten wing and an itinerate space, addressing exterior doors not operating properly, replacing door hardware, upgrading electrical systems in classrooms to accommodate new computer technology and miscellaneous technology upgrades.

The proposed new addition for Forest Acres consists of adding a secure entry foyer to direct visitors to the main office area. This is part of securing the entrance to the school and defining the school entrance.

East End Elementary School renovations include converting the second floor science room to a general classroom, expanding the second floor toilets into the existing teacher lounge area and eliminating the teacher lounge; replacing the existing wooden door frames and nonrated doors, replacing carpet in the multi-purpose room with a synthetic floor, adding handrails to the retaining walls in the courtyards, upgrading electrical systems in the classrooms to accommodate new computer technology and miscellaneous technology upgrades.

The proposed new addition to the school consists of expanding the cafeteria area by 1,000 square feet.

Clemson, Central and Hagood elementary schools are also included in the renovation projects, all of which are slated for completion prior to the start of the 2009-10 school year.

Melloul-Blamey Construction has been selected as the contractor for those schools and the Greenville firm submitted a base bid of $3,643,000 for the project. Those renovations also include security and technology upgrades.