These 4 Springfield elementary schools' storm shelter gyms are nearly finished
Springfield Public Schools is near the finish line for four of the six bond-funded storm shelters under construction at elementary schools.
The gyms at Mann, Pittman, Watkins and Wilder are expected to be done in July. Once complete, they will also serve as a refuge during severe and tornadic weather.
The new storm shelter gyms at Cowden and Holland are in process and expected to be done in May 2025.
Shawn Dilday, executive director of operations, provided an update Tuesday on projects funded by the $220 million bond issue approved in April 2023, starting with the six gyms.
"They're in different phases," he said.
The new Reed Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, a middle school, broke ground in late March at Lyon Avenue and Atlantic Street.
The new 128,900-square-foot building will be able to serve 725 students in grades 6-8 in 21 core classrooms, six science combo labs and two collaboration spaces.
The layout includes 23,620 square feet for the performing arts including two rooms each for choir and world dance and one each for band and orchestra. There is also a multi-purpose auditorium with a stage, sound booth, storage and seating for 450 people.
Two months ago, the district announced plans to buy 8.8 acres for the a new Pipkin Middle School. The property, north and west of the existing school, is owned by the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
The district plans to close on the property shortly after the start of the 2024-25 school year, at which time it will demolish the existing buildings on the property. The sale price will not be disclosed until closing.
In January, the school board voted to transform Pershing, which has long served K-8, into a middle school once it is fully renovated.
A critical step of that project is to construct additions at Field and Wilder elementary schools, which will absorb the elementary students currently zoned to attend Pershing.
Dilday said the four-classroom additions at Field and Wilder are in the design process right now. "We're looking at construction starting around the first of the year."
Upgraded safety and security features were also part of the bond issue. The first step was to apply protective film to all of the first-floor glass, including doors and windows.
"Every single building in the district has been touched through this bond issue," Dilday said.
More: Springfield City Council readies a $26 million bond package. Here's what it will fund
The district is currently adding door sensors and improved access controls where needed. That work is expected to wrap up by August.
The addition of cameras and roof sensors is still ongoing.
As part of the presentation, Dilday also went over the financial aspects of the bond issue. Of the $220 million approved by voters, $190 million of the general obligation bonds have been sold.
The interest generated from the sale of those bonds has been $4.5 million. The other $30 million in bonds will be sold later.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 4 bond-funded Springfield elementary storm shelter gyms nearly done
