By Patricia Barkley
The Haysville Times
Last month, USD 261 received word that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be providing grant funds in the amount of $1,003,590 for the purpose of constructing safe rooms, or tornado shelters, in the district, as part of a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Plans have been made to construct six of these rooms, one in the new elementary, one in the new middle school, and one each at Oatville, Nelson, Rex, and Freeman schools. The total cost of construction will be $1,338,120, and the district will contribute $334,530 in order to cover the difference.
“They’ll be able to hold the entire student body and all the staff at the school,” said Superintendent John Burke of the size of the rooms.
Bids are expected to come in for the new elementary school on March 30, and construction should begin within two weeks after that. The rooms for the existing elementary schools will be built over the next few summers. They have an expected completion date of August 2008.