JE Dunn Construction senior project manager and 2003 Lee’s Summit High School (LSHS) graduate, Mike Chiles, has returned to his high school alma mater to lead a $224 million renovation project for the school district.
Renovations, passed by voters in June 2020, began last month to modernize the nearly 70-year-old LSHS campus while adding 60,000 SF of space.
“Nearly every square foot of the existing school is undergoing renovation,” said Chiles.
Improvements include an updated media center, centralized administrative services, energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems, a second-story passageway between the buildings, collaboration spaces, and a greenway to allow students to get outside throughout the day.
Perhaps one of the most high-profile changes, though, will be the fate of the iconic tiger on the south side of the building.
“The tiger head is special to many, including me, and was a topic of many discussions throughout the design process,” said Chiles. “The tiger head is designed to remain a part of the LSHS elevations.”
As another piece of the school district’s 2020 bond, JE Dunn is the CM for the expansion and renovation at Mason Elementary School, which will add similar updates to enhance modernization.
“We were recently able to show our building addition progress to several of the students, and it was one of the most rewarding days for our team,” said Chiles.
After working throughout the country for several years, Chiles said it has been incredibly rewarding to him and his family returning to the Lee’s Summit area and contribute to positive changes at his alma mater.
“It is wonderful being alumni and still seeing staff that were a part of my education journey nearly twenty years ago,” said Chiles. “It is very exciting to return to the campus and be a part of marrying the wonderful history of the school with modernizing the campus to prepare the best environments for building up future leaders of the community and beyond.”
The renovations for Lee’s Summit High School are expected to be complete in 2023, which happens to be the 20-year anniversary of Chiles’ high school graduation.