New Jackson elementary on schedule despite weather delays

Despite missing 50 days this winter because of cold, ice and snow, Paul Brockmiller, president of Brockmiller Construction Inc., said construction on Jackson's new elementary school is still poised for completion in spring 2015.

The new 105,000-square-foot building, which will sit on 15 acres at 455 N. Lacey St. in Jackson, will be called East Elementary School. Construction is being financed with a bond of about $16 million that was approved by voters April 3, 2012. The project architect is Warner Nease Bost Architects Inc. of Kansas City, Mo.

Brockmiller said the gym already is up and the early childhood wing is having a roof put on it. Next to that is a three-story classroom wing for which steel is being set.

"We're updating the schedule right now," Brockmiller said Monday. "It's still going to be a push trying to get that done, but that's our goal."

Superintendent Ron Anderson said the new campus will relieve overcrowding at other school buildings, because of growth and curriculum expansion. The campus will be able to accommodate 600 kindergarten through fifth-grade students and the half-day early childhood program for 3- and 4-year-olds.

The wing will be able to accommodate 150 students in the morning and 150 students in the evening, Anderson said. The early childhood program, currently held at South Elementary and New McKendree Church, across the street from South, usually has a waiting list, Anderson and the district website said.

"We're excited about the building and the opportunities it's going to provide for ... availability of space for students and future program expansions," Anderson said.

Some adjustments will be made in terms of which students attend what schools, but Anderson said the district will wait until next year to determine that. "We want to be as close as we can be," to get better enrollment numbers, he said.

He said there will be a few people hired as classrooms are moved from one building to another. "There will be a staff member that in many cases will move also. That will be the bulk of the staffing, but there will be a few additions," Anderson said.

The newest elementary building in the district is South Elementary School, opened in 1998, Anderson said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address: 455 N. Lacey St.