A New Elementary School

I am hoping that I can having an ongoing picture log of the new school as it is being built; however, it will first be 10 months in the designing stage.  I know that seems like a long time, but all the architects have at the moment is a rough outline of what the basic layout will look like.  Next, they will have to decide where the classrooms will be, where the library will be (all the books housed in one place, finally), where to locate the restrooms - imagine, more than one per gender in the building - where to put office staff, a maintenance room for heating, cooling, and the janitorial staff and supplies, where the cafeteria and kitchen will be located, and where to place the gym.  It will take a lot of planning and hopefully they will take into consideration any input by the teachers who know what a school needs to function properly.

I was very pleased that the bond passed.  After attending school board meetings and listening to all the ongoing problems that needed to be fixed, a new building was what was really needed.  I dislike the idea of just patching up buildings that really need major repairs, but I am also aware of the fact that when you really get behind the walls, in the ceilings, and under the floors, you sometimes find hidden problems that can become overwhelmingly expensive to repairs, and something need to be torn down to the studs and completely be replaced.

This became true in our own home, which needed even some of the studs replaced because of termite damage and rotting due to excessive moisture, and there are still issues to address and repairs to be made, like the foundation that has a few places that leak.  You try to repair and patch but sometimes it is more of a replacement of the old with the new, like electrically wiring and plumbing.

I think the citizens of Larned and the surrounding areas included in the USD 495 school district made a wise choice in voting YES for the bond.  I think it will do much for the district and the town to show major improvements and community pride.

Hooray Larned!

A New Elementary School for Larned?

Does Larned need a new elementary school?  Well, let's look at some pros to this option.

First of all, the students will not be spread out between four different buildings.

Second, the district will not have to continue to repair the old buildings hoping those old buildings will hold up longer.  As good stewards of the district's money, the school board should not be putting more and more money into buildings that just cannot work effectively for Larned's children.

Third, the new building will provide a safe shelter for the students without requiring that they be bused to other locations during a tornado warning or other severe weather.

Fourth, with just one building for elementary students, parents will not be required to drive to multiple building to pick their children up.

Fifth, there will be enough restrooms and stalls to meet the needs of all the students without requiring long lines and waits for a child to use the restroom.

Sixth, the new building will be adequately heated, and students will not need to wear their coats in order to remain warm during the cold winter days.

These, in my opinion, are some of the top reasons why Larned needs a new elementary school.  There are more if you would like to hear them.

For many, the one down side is the raise in property tax, but that raise is well worth it if it provides a safer environment for elementary children and a better learning environment.  In addition, there is the 36% that the state will kick in if the bond is passed before July 1st.  With everything the state plans to take away from education, this is one way that they can put money into the education of Larned's children.