West Essex Regional high school and middle school students will return to classes on Thursday, Sept. 6 to find some changes and improvements to school buildings and grounds.

Gymnasium floors were refinished during the last couple of months, and a sidewalk has replaced a dirt path from the middle school lockers to the stadium.

Concrete/masonry work was also completed in the dugout area at the high school softball field, which will have a new fence. A barrier-free ramp was installed outside the middle school.

The middle school main office and high school athletic and vice principals' offices were renovated over the summer. Both areas underwent asbestos abatement, had new flooring installed and received a fresh coat of paint.

Four bathrooms at the high school are being renovated with new flooring and light fixtures. Those areas were not on schedule to be completed by the start of the school year.

All the projects were being done by custodial stuff, with the exception of the gym floors, according to a spokesperson for the school district.