New Franklin School wants 3 million dollars for improvements

NEW FRANKLIN, Mo- The New Franklin School District is asking for a 3 million dollar bond to give students more places to play and making sure they are safe.

The town centers around the school and kindergartners all the way through 12th grade use one gym. When it is raining or cold outside, the younger children are unable to use the gym as place for recess because the older kids are in P.E, this being just one of the issues.

The school went up in 1941, and as the town continues to grow, the school has become too small. The gym is built for a max of 500 people but it now squeezes more than 800 during school functions.

The School Board president, Travis Hundley says improvements are not wanted but needed. “A school in a small community, that’s the biggest asset. We want to provide the best for our kids and so yeah its definitely needed.”

In 2007, the school tried to build a new gym but the project did not get passed. Now, the changes seem likely. Superintendent, Dave Haggard says that everyone is getting educated, “We put some informative posters out there actually for moms and dads to look at during the ball games and things like that to let them get ready and see what they’re talking about. And during the school day when they were still out there the kids would stop and say ‘this would be nice’, so they’re getting educated.”

Other members of the community were also excited about the new project. A New Franklin resident and community pastor, Tim Miller said, “I think a new addition would be great. I think it would be good for the town and I know the school is really involved with the community, folks seem to really enjoy the school and I think it would be a plus, I really do.”

The project would not only affect the school, but the community as well. Haggard ended by saying, “It’s exciting to look forward to a new building project here, its a lot of work and it’s a lot of effort on not only the superintendent’s office but the whole community quite honestly but it’s worth it in the long run.”

The ballot is being voted on April 5th, and along with the gym, the money would help get new doors for better security and a new walk way for kids with disabilities.

If the proposal is passed on April 5th, the construction would begin sometime this summer.