Seven new classrooms will be added in the planned $5.2 million addition to the South Tama High School.

Struxture Architects drawings were unveiled at all three South Tama school attendance centers on Tuesday and displayed again on Thursday during scheduled parent-teacher conferences.

Construction is expected to start this spring with completion targeted for fall of 2017.

The “State Secure and Advance Vision for Education” (SAVE)?money will be used to pay for the work. The money results from a one-cent state sales tax. No bond issue will be called for the addition.

The new classrooms will replace the four “portable ” classrooms located outside the south west corner of the main building since their placement in 1988.

South Tama High School first floor addition. Band room is under consideration as an option.

A number of other improvements also make up the plan including a student commons, a small meeting room and additional restrooms.

The addition totals 17,470 sq. ft.

Remodeling includes moving the art room to the industrial technology area, science prep room, media center and two classrooms.

Also, equipment including shelving, desks, a new dust collection system for industrial technology and new technology project systems are needed.

A new band room and air conditioning are options for which quotes are being sought.

Upper level of classroom addition.

If the band room is included, the vocal music department would be relocated to the present band room.

The present South Tama High School was opened in the spring of 1968.

Previously, South Tama High School freshmen and sophomore students attended classes in the present Middle School in Toledo and juniors and seniors were at what is now the Partnership Center in Tama.