Construction began in February at Blue Springs High School as the first of 14 projects included in the February 2009 Blue Springs School District Bond Issue got underway. Construction projects are also underway at Thomas Ultican Elementary, Chapel Lakes Elementary and Blue Springs South High School. Bids continue to come in on the various projects and additional construction will begin over the next few weeks. A record 89% of voters voiced their approval of the bond issue. The funds will help increase safety, improve facilities and address the growth in our district. Bids will continue on the various construction projects throughout the spring.
The first construction project began at Blue Springs High, where improvements include increasing campus security through building additions, redesigning classrooms for science, art and technology programs and improving activity space.
"The project at BSHS is well underway and making great progress," BSHS Principal David Adams said. "Parking and student passage have been somewhat of a challenge, but everyone has been most cooperative and things have gone smoothly for the most part. We are excited about the improvements and looking forward to the time that they are completed."
Blue Springs South High School’s construction has also started. Along with a new media center and classrooms, the building will also include secure and common entry points. Larry Stewart Memorial Stadium will feature a new concession stand.
"The projects will provide an entirely new look and feel to our school," South Principal Randy Dowell said. "From the new science rooms and library to the replacement of ceiling tile and carpet; our school will be a comfortable place that maximizes teaching and learning. Inconvenience is the norm during construction but all of our staff, students, and parents have agreed that we are ‘keeping our eye on the prize.’ The benefits far outweigh any inconvenience."
Two district elementary schools have also seen construction begin on their sites. Thomas Ultican Elementary’s former playground area is receiving a face lift to provide better traffic patterns for buses while work at Chapel Lakes Elementary is paving the way for a new multipurpose facility and additional classrooms.
Teachers at TUE have turned the construction into a positive experience and established the school-wide testing theme, "Under Construction for MAP Instruction." During a school wide assembly, each student K-5 will receive a small yellow hard hat with positive quotes related to the construction theme. They will also be given construction theme suckers as they leave the assembly for kickoff events.
Chapel Lakes Elementary Principal Jason Woolf said of the construction at his building, "The new construction is going to provide some much needed space for our students. The construction will be providing us a new gymnasium, an art room, four new classrooms, student rest rooms, a secure entry point, security upgrades, a new secure entrance and exit point for buses and parent pickup and drop off, an enclosed library, a remodeled cooking kitchen and a refurbishing of other parts of the existing building. I couldn’t be more proud of the way our students, teachers, and parents have handled the new construction."
