MADISON -- Students, parents, teachers, school and community officials and others gathered at Madison Elementary on Friday, April 26, 2013, for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the new addition to the school. Two classrooms, new ceilings and large restroom facilities were all part of the new addition to the school. “Part of our design was to connect the two corridors that were not connected previously,” said Tom Worlledge with the architect firm McKinley ad Associates, which designed the addition. “We solved some circulation issues at the school and also have a state-of-the-art fire safety system installed.” Boone County Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Beck said the design and construction produced spacious classrooms. “This is just a much-needed and gorgeous addition using the green and white Madison Buffalo colors,” Beck said. Boone County Board of Education President Mark Sumpter also attended the ceremony, which included a balloon release. “Our goal is to continue to make as many improvements to all of our schools across the county,” he said. “This addition is really nice and we are very pleased with it.” Boone County School Superintendent John Hudson said the school system received about $850,000 from the West Virginia School Building Authority (SBA) to help fund the $1.4 million project. “We are very excited to provide this addition for our students here,” Hudson said. “It’s a very modern facility. Everyone is very pleased with the end result.” Another major improvement project is coming to Sherman Jr/Sr. High. “We just recently received funding from the SBA for this upcoming project,” Hudson said. SBA handed over $1.7 million for the $2.4 million project, Hudson said. “Part of that will go to build a bus loop so that students don’t have to get off the school bus on busy Route 3.” According to Hudson. “The rest of the funding goes toward health and safety upgrades at the school, which will include fire sprinklers, new ceilings and lighting, staff and student parking, new secure entrances and new sewer treatment plant.” Hudson says they’ve asked for the funding two prior years. But he believes they finally got the money because the county pitched in $700,000. “Our board of education stepped up this time. They added an extra $237,000 to, I think, help make this project a reality,” according to Hudson. Hudson anticipates the project could begin sometime this summer.