Boone County Schools, Florence, KY
nora Rubber Flooring Earns High Marks at Boone County Schools
Boone County Schools completed five construction projects last summer, including renovations at Ockerman Middle School, Ockerman Elementary School, Chester Goodridge Elementary School and Larry A. Ryle High School and new construction at Camp Ernst Middle School. Although each building in the northern Kentucky school system presented design challenges unique to the ages of the students it serves, the architect for the projects selected one floor covering—nora rubber flooring—to meet the flooring needs of all five facilities.
As Michael Hibbett, assistant superintendent of operations for the school system, considered flooring options for the five buildings, he identified a number of performance requirements. “We wanted to eliminate wax and all that goes with it. The stripping compound, for example, presents problems associated with irritating fumes and slickness. The compound also devalues the look of the floor, taking color out of the floor each time you use it. By eliminating wax and stripping compounds, we could simplify the maintenance process, reduce maintenance costs and retain the original look of the floor.”
Hibbett also sought a floor covering that could sustain heavy traffic in schools that house more than 1,500 students. “That number of students also creates a lot of noise,” he added. “So, I wanted a floor covering that would address the noise factor. I was looking for what I called a carpet atmosphere (and by that I mean quiet) without all the carpet problems, like mold and wear.”
The appearance of the floor was also important to Hibbett, who tasked the architect with finding “…a flooring that does all the above and offers some interesting colors as well.”
Ehmet Hayes, associate architect with Robert Ehmet Hayes & Associates, suggested that Hibbett consider nora rubber flooring. “nora products offer maintenance and wear advantages along with a brighter, cleaner look and a more updated color palette than some of the other flooring products available to us.”
A rigorous test installation of nora products in the school district’s maintenance building performed to Hibbett’s specifications. He subsequently authorized the installation of approximately 350,000 square feet of noraplan eco, norament grano and norament lago in classrooms, corridors, cafeterias and other areas of the five schools.
nora account executive Art Kuhlman was thrilled with the order. “The original plan was to install nora products only in hallways. But we were able to demonstrate the cost savings associated with ease of maintenance, and that convinced the district to move our product into classrooms and other areas of the building where it seemed appropriate.”
During the renovation process, the district worked on five classrooms at a time. Displaced students moved into portable pods until their rooms were complete. According to Kuhlman, this process worked well for the school and put the new floors to the test immediately, by being exposed to the heavy traffic and dirt associated with construction.
In the end, the floors held up well throughout the renovation process and continue to surpass the expectations of the district. “We’re thrilled with the ease of maintenance of nora products,” Hibbett said. He also appreciates the products’ acoustic benefits. “The flooring muffles sound nicely. At the same time, it seems to be a comfortable product for our students and teachers.”
Kuhlman added that staff members report they are experiencing less leg fatigue. “That’s one of the subtle benefits of nora products that is recognized and appreciated by those people who use our products.”
The look of the floor throughout the schools also earns high marks from those who see it. “Each school has its own look,” said Hibbett, “and the design in each one is supported by colorful patterns in the floors. The flooring seems to lend itself well to cut patterns, because everything fits together well. I don’t think I could get such great results with other flooring products. We’ve incorporated stars, script, mascots and other designs into our floors, and the kids love it.”
As construction and renovation projects continue, Hibbett plans to use nora rubber flooring products wherever he can. “It’s one of the few products that I’ve dealt with in the construction business that actually does all that it says it’s going to do. The nora rubber flooring that has been installed has provided the school district with a low maintenance, highly effective and cost-saving floor that looks attractive. I would recommend nora rubber floors to any school systems that are looking at future flooring needs, and I will continue to specify it in the work we do here.”
Download Project Profile PDF
Contact Information
nora systems, Inc.
9 Northeastern Blvd.
Salem, NH 03079
USA
Toll-Free: 800-332-NORA
Tel: (603) 894-1021
Fax: (603) 894-6615
E-mail: info-us@nora.com
