CPS moving forward with building projects ahead of new school year
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Public Schools is working on more than two dozen projects to renovate or build new buildings across the district as another academic year starts.
School begins Tuesday, with work still taking place on some of them.
CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said the district counted 32 construction projects this summer in various buildings.
CPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood told ABC 17 News last week that the district has been busy preparing for the new school year.
"Lots of planning going into place," Yearwood said. "Getting ready to make sure that, No. 1, our schools are properly prepared, cleanliness and making sure that repairs are done."
Yearwood said the student population is continuing to grow. Yearwood said CPS has a 10-year plan for projections for its increasing enrollment.
"We never want to be stuck where we have overcrowded schools," Yearwood said. "That's no good for anyone."
According to the district, CPS had a total of 18,213 students in the 2020 fall semester. By fall 2022, that number had risen to 18,800 students. In April 2022, Yearwood told ABC 17 News he predicted the student population to be over 20,000 students by 2032.
CPS parent Amanda Hamlin has three children in the district and said it's important class sizes aren't too large because that can hurt students' learning.
"It isn't as effective as it could be if there weren't as many children in one classroom," Hamlin said.
That's why the district is planning new projects including at Russell Boulevard Elementary School. Work there is nearing completion and the elementary school located on the John Warner Middle School campus is in the design phase.
Work on an addition to Battle Elementary is set to start in early 2024. This project will install additional classrooms and bring the student capacity up to around 650 students. It will also provide a storm shelter.
According to CPS online records, the district has spent or allotted $52.7 million in building renovations from fiscal 2020 to fiscal 2023.
$80 million bond issue
Columbia voters overwhelmingly passed an $80 million dollar bond issue in April 2022 to help fund two new elementary schools, renovations to the Columbia Area Career Center, an addition to Battle Elementary School and other capital improvements.
Yearwood told ABC 17 News the Career Center is in need of a "major facelift". Baumstark said updates to the Career Center are in the design phase. According to CPS, the new section of the Career Center will add 20,000 square feet and is set to be complete in December 2024.
These funds are issued in two $40 million increments. The first was issued last year and the other will be given to CPS next year.
Boone County Nature School
The Boone County Nature School is a partnership between Columbia Public Schools and the Missouri Department of Conservation. According to the MDC, the school will feature four nature-themed classrooms along with lab space and offices.
Yearwood told ABC 17 News the Boone County Nature School has seen a slight delay in construction but it should be completed close to prediction. Yearwood said the project is having difficulty with access to materials and it has been an ongoing issue.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation's website, the school is set to be completed by March.
