SMS Groundbreaking




Eastmorland Ribbon Cutting


(click photos to see large versions)

South Middle School Groundbreaking
& Eastmorland Ribbon Cutting Held

The Joplin School District reached two important milestones today, Thursday, March 27. School officials and community leaders broke ground at the future site of the new South Middle School this morning at 10 a.m. Shortly thereafter, a ribbon cutting ceremony at Eastmorland Elementary officially opened that school's new building expansion.

Dr. Jim Simpson, Superintendent of Joplin Schools, said of the ceremonies, “These two events represent moving forward in providing state-of-the-art facilities that maximize student learning and safety.”

Construction of the new South Middle School is part of the $57.3 million bond issue passed by Joplin voters in April 2007. The 127,500 square foot building will be located on 50th Street, beside Calvary Baptist Church. The new South Middle School will feature:

• modern science classrooms and library facilities
  
• an auditorium with a seating capacity of over 700
  
• a gymnasium large enough to accommodate simultaneous cross-court games
  
• a traffic flow plan designed for safer student pick-up/drop-off
  
• accessibility for students and staff with special needs
  
• surrounding green space

The current plan proposes that middle school students living within attendance zones for Cecil Floyd, Irving, and Stapleton Elementary schools will attend the new South Middle School when its doors open in 2009.

The Eastmorland Elementary expansion adds 14,389 square feet to the school, including several much-needed classrooms, a conference room, and additional learning space. The project is part of the district’s plan to eliminate crowded trailers at three Joplin elementary schools. Expansions at McKinley Elementary and Stapleton Elementary are also underway and will be completed this year. The three elementary projects are being financed from district savings.

»View more photos of the South Middle School groundbreaking.

Artist's rendering of the new South Middle School

(posted 03/27/08; edited 10/06/08)