Lingle OKs $20 million for upgrades at Oahu schools

Twelve Oahu public schools will receive more than $20 million for new classrooms, renovations, electrical upgrades and air conditioning, the state has announced.

Most of the money, $6.6 million, will go to Campbell High, where officials want to complete an eight-classroom building by the 2009-10 school year to handle more students. The school's enrollment of 2,009 is expected to reach 2,225 by 2009.

The funds released by Gov. Linda Lingle this week also include $3.9 million to improve the track and football field at Roosevelt High and to build an access road to the school's swimming pool. The grass on Roosevelt's football field, which is used by several schools and often gets muddy and damaged, will be replaced with a turf similar to the one at Aloha Stadium by February.

Other projects include:

» $2.9 million will be used by Pauoa Elementary, Dole Middle and Ala Wai Elementary schools to renovate 21 bathrooms to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

» $2.1 million to build a new locker and shower room at Kalakaua Middle.

» $2 million for air-conditioning and electrical work at Waianae High.

» $1.7 million to replace floor tiles containing asbestos in various classrooms at Kaewai Elementary.

» $195,532 for electrical upgrades at Noelani Elementary.

» $252,000 to add parking stalls to Palolo Elementary.

» $250,000 to provide more space for private counseling at Stevenson Middle.

» $170,000 to pay for a new fence that will divide Highlands Intermediate from the Pearl City District Park.