Clippard Elementary School students cheered Monday morning after learning their building would be equipped with air conditioning when they returned to classes in August.

"They're excited and they have wonderful, wonderful questions," said principal Stan Seiler. "This may be something teachers here only get once, so it's great they'll have a chance to use this as an opportunity to teach."

Contractors began renovations on the school after a ceremonial groundbreaking attended by students, teachers, administrators and school board members. Work will continue throughout the summer to complete the installation of air conditioning, new windows and doors, electric upgrades, new drives for buses and parent dropoffs and general building repairs.

Construction of a new cafeteria will begin in coming weeks. That project is expected to continue through September. The work, which will be done by Sides Construction, will cost $1,122,733, 16 percent more than the original estimate.

Clippard is the latest in the district to receive a facelift, including air conditioning and other improvements. Last fall, Jefferson underwent similar renovations and a nine-classroom addition, and Central Junior High also underwent major improvements.

Bids will be considered this week for a renovation project at Alma Schrader. That project will be completed over the summer.

All of the renovation projects are part of a long-range schedule included in the district's master plan.

The renovations were the first phase of the plan, along with the opening of Blanchard and the closing of May Greene and Washington schools. Voters will have to approve a second bond issue before phases two and three can be completed.

"Right now we're right on schedule for the building renovations," said Dr. Dan Tallent, Cape Girardeau schools superintendent. "The only elementary building left will be Franklin, which we'll probably begin work on next spring."

Renovations at Clippard and Alma Schrader will mean all the district's elementary schools will have air conditioning. Tallent said those changes will mean fewer early dismissals from hot weather.

Fewer early dismissals will mean more convenience for parents, who often have to arrange child care for younger children, Tallent said.

"It really kind of signifies a new beginning," he said. "The only buildings left (without air conditioning) will be the high school and Schultz, meaning we'll have the capacity of keeping the elementary students all day long next year."