Cape schools and bonds: No wasted space in elementary schools

At Clippard Elementary School, not all the rooms are square.

When Clippard was built in 1965, planners did not use a gridlike hallway structure. Three wings extend from a cluster of offices in the center. Triangle-shaped rooms were constructed within the wings to accommodate specialized learning needs as they increased over the years. They now house classes like English as a second language and speech therapy.

"We've had to add rooms where rooms shouldn't be added," said Dr. Sydney Herbst, principal.

In some parts of the building, common areas serve several purposes. A paper cutter, copy machine and other office equipment line a hallway that doubles as a work space in one of the wings.

"It's not like we have a lot of wasted space," Herbst said.

As the district approaches its biggest overhaul of school facilities in recent years, overcrowding in the elementary schools is part of its focus. The districtwide plan, which outlines $40 million in construction and renovation projects, is pending approval by the school board.

The goal of the plan is to create enough space for 120 square feet per student in its current buildings. If more growth occurs, a new elementary would be considered as opposed to more additions to the current schools, said Neil Glass, director of administrative services.

There are pockets of growth within the district, Glass said, but overall population numbers have been stagnant.

If the district moves forward with the plan, Clippard would receive the third-biggest chunk of money, $5.21 million. Franklin Elementary, which would be rebuilt, would receive $10.02 million. The high school would receive $14.57 million.

Clippard, originally named Hawthorn, was the last elementary school built in the district before Blanchard Elementary opened in 2000. In 1999 Clippard received an addition that included a cafeteria. The space also doubles as an art room.

"Sometimes there's 70 kids in here trying to eat while they're trying to do art," Herbst said.

Plans at Clippard include two additions, one that would extend the west side of the building where the playground is. The triangular rooms would come down and return to their original purpose, a common study area.

"We used to have chairs and rugs where they could come out and read," she said.

At one time, one of the triangular rooms housed a 14-student kindergarten class, Herbst said.

"And I'm not sure that wasn't too many," Herbst said.

The office supply-lined hallway would become the entrance of the school with a central office. Because the current office is tucked into the middle of the building, visitors often do not know where to report, Herbst said.

"A lot of times people don't know where to get in the building," she said.

In Jefferson, Alma Schrader and Central Middle School, additions would make entrances and the office centrally located to address safety concerns. Security cameras and door replacements are also on the list.

The plan addresses millions of dollars in deferred maintenance, including new roofs for Clippard, Alma Schrader and Jefferson. Jefferson's boiler, which dates back to 1957, has a water leak and needs frequent repairs, Glass said. Maintenance workers spend more time fixing problems than preventing them, he said.

"We're still trying to play catch-up and Band-Aid things," he said.

District officials said they would like to address construction and maintenance projects on a routine basis with bond issues.

The district's current bonding capacity is $66.52 million. District officials said they can approach voters with a $43 million bond issue without increasing the tax rate.

"We knew that we could do a sizable bond issue without a tax rate increase, so that's what we're shooting for," said superintendent Dr. Jim Welker.

Financial advisers from Stifel Nicolaus said the district could approach voters with a $15 million bond issue in five years that would not increase taxes, he said. The tax rate, which is $4.16 per $100 of assessed valuation, has not changed since 2004, aside from a calculating error in 2007.

In the past, however, phased plans stalled. The first of a three-part plan was enacted when voters approved a $14 million bond issue in 1997 to build Blanchard and the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. The second phase came in 2000 with an $18 million bond issue to build the high school.

Since 1999 the district has had four superintendents. Welker is in his second school year.

Because the district did not have a bond issue in 10 years, money for maintenance and construction of the alternative education center was taken from operating funds.

"We have to, in some ways, get caught up a bit," he said.

The school board will meet Jan. 5 and 13 to discuss whether to proceed with a bond issue for the April 6 election.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Other projects in proposal

Alma Schrader Elementary

Two additions $1.76 million

New roof $729,550

Security upgrades $147,341

Other $469,077

Total $3.11 million

Blanchard Elementary

Security upgrades $65,434

Clippard Elementary

Two additions $3.5 million

New roof $516,089

Security upgrades $127,747 Other $1.07 million

Total $5.21 million

Jefferson Elementary

Entry and music room addition $853,213

New roof $455,293

Security upgrades $148,678 Other $1.83 million

Total $3.29 million

Franklin Elementary

New school $10.02 million

Central Middle School

Addition at breezeway $582,695

Parking $173,868

Security upgrades $130,463

Other $262,210

Total $1.15 million

Central Junior High School

Library addition $2.13 million

Security upgrades $259,428

Other $79,479 Total $2.47 million

Total district $39.98 million

Pertinent address:

2880 Hopper Road Cape Girardeau, MO