Republic R-3 wants new school

By: 
Steve Chapman

The proposed fifth and sixth grade center would be located next to the Republic Park and Recreation expansion currently under development near the intersection of James River Freeway and U.S. Highway 60. The build would relocate some 900 students from other schools to alleviate the capacity pushing student population.
 

$47 million tax levy on April ballot would pay for new 5th-6th grade building
If the voters in the Republic R-3 School District approve a proposed $47 million no tax rate increase bond
issue in April, the district will be able to begin construction on a new fifth and sixth grade school building in anticipation of their expanding student population.
During their meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15, the Republic School Board approved a resolution calling for the tax levy to be placed on the ballot for the election on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. If the measure passes, according to a communication by Nikki Faith, district communications specialist for Republic R-3, it will “fully fund” the new building.

New building to help accommodate expected increase in student population
In the communication, Faith said a projected increase in the student population makes the new fifth and sixth grade center necessary.
“As you are likely well aware,” she said, “the City of Republic is experiencing unprecedented growth. Our business community is expanding, bringing more and more families to our area, which requires more housing. Republic is currently on pace to see an addition of approximately 1,100 single family homes and 2,220 multi-family homes in the next three-to-five years. Therefore, our school district is expected to grow by approximately 1,000 new students during that time frame.”
The new center, Faith stated, would help accommodate the student population by reducing the number of students attending class in the existing middle and elementary-school buildings.
“It would allow us to remove approximately 400 students from the Republic Middle School,” she said, “and about 80 (to) 100 students from each elementary building.”

New building to be located near Amazon, next to Parks and Recreation expansion
If the ballot issue is approved, the new building will be located on a 78-acre tract of land located next to Republic’s Parks and Recreation expansion at the intersection of Highway 60 and James River Expressway. The district recently purchased the land for $3.6 million, Faith said. Construction would begin next summer and be completed within two years.
“We would plan to start construction in the summer of 2023,” she said, “and for the building to be ready for students by the Fall of 2025.”

If measure fails, district will use trailers as elementary school classrooms
While the district is confident that the measure will pass, Faith said if it doesn’t, the district will have to look at other ways to accommodate the expected increase in the student population.
“We are confident that our community understands the rapid growth we are experiencing,” she said, “and we are hopeful that they also see the value in adding more space to accommodate our growing student population. If this no tax levy increase bond issue were to not pass, we would see class sizes increase and likely have the need for temporary trailers outside of our elementary schools. Additionally, we would go back to our parents and community and gather feedback to determine why the measure was not supported.”
In her message, Faith also told the Republic school employees and families that the district was eagerly anticipating seeing what the future holds.
“We are so excited for what’s to come,” she said. “We look forward to providing more opportunities for our students, staff and families as we move into this next phase of development.”

 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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