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McKinley Ribbon Cutting


McKinley's New Entrance

photos courtesy of Carole Liston

District Holds Ribbon Cutting at McKinley Elementary
& Groundbreaking for New Bus Maintenance Facility

School officials and community leaders gathered on Monday, June 16, 2008 to commemorate two more facilty milestones for the Joplin School District. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the McKinley Elementary building expansion followed by a groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s new bus maintenance facility.

“Joplin Schools is in a period of major facility renewal,” says Superintendent Dr. Jim Simpson. “These two new facilities continue this renewal phase. Our students will be safer and have cutting-edge educational classrooms for decades to come.”

McKinley Elementary’s new 15,000 square foot expansion replaces two overcrowded trailers that previously served as classrooms and adds additional features to the school, including a new entrance, 14 classrooms, two restrooms, administrative offices, and an elevator for handicap accessibility. New off-street visitor parking, a bus loading area, and a parking lot for staff members were also created.

The McKinley expansion project is part of the district’s plan to eliminate trailers at three Joplin elementary schools – McKinley, Eastmorland, and Stapleton. The expansion of Eastmorland Elementary was completed in March of this year, and all of Stapleton Elementary’s expansion-related projects will be completed this summer.

The district’s new bus maintenance facility replaces the former building that was rendered unusable for bus maintenance due to damage from recent ice storms. The new 16,500 square foot facility will feature eight bus work bays, two storage bays, an office and resource room, and a welding shop.

(06/16/08)