EAST PROVIDENCE — Refurbishment of the Riverside Middle School Library continues on pace for completion in the coming weeks. The upgrades already made included rewiring of the area and the installation of new sprinkler system, work which took place in April during the spring recess.

As part of his monthly update given to the School Committee at its May 9 meeting, East Providence School Department Facilities Director Tony Feola noted the upgrades done at RMS a few weeks ago as well as providing a time frame for the remaining repairs to the library.

Besides the fire suppression system, a new ceiling was put into place and LED lighting was installed, Mr. Feola said. He added, repainting of the area started last week and would likely continue into this.

The “final piece” of the project is the laying of a new rug on the floor of the library, according to the director. That effort includes the cementing and leveling of the floor in the corners of the library where planters once sat. In addition, plans are to dig trenches to place wiring in the floor below grade. Those sections, including where the planters were located, will also be covered by the new rug.

Mr. Feola said bids were about to be sought for the RMS rug, which is part of the next phase of planned improvements being made to buildings across the district. Included among the improvements scheduled are fire alarm and roof repairs at Francis Elementary School, the courtyard at Martin Middle School and flooring at Hennessey Elementary.

“The objective is as soon as school ends we move on these projects,” Mr. Feola said.

With that in mind, the director requested the committee plan a second meeting for this month so Mr. Feola could present to the body for its consideration the accepted bids on the aforementioned construction. The committee obliged, setting up a forum on Tuesday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. expressly for the approval of the bids.

Of note as well, the director told the committee last week the full replacement of seating in the auditoriums at both middle schools, Riverside and Martin, will commence with removal of the existing chairs. That work is scheduled to start on June 5 while classes are still in session. Mr. Feola said every effort will be made by the contractors to keep at a minimum disruption to students and staff in the buildings. As soon as the seat removal is concluded, he added, repainting of both rooms will begin.

At the conclusion of Mr. Feola remarks, Ward 2 Committee member Tony Ferreira lauded the director’s efforts as well as those of the entire Facilities Department in helping reinvigorate the district’s tired buildings.

“Our schools are not crumbling,” Mr. Ferreira said. “I just want to make it known publicly our schools have come a long way in the last four or five years.”