After years of trying, Minnesota district is finally building a new school
Eight years after massive floods seriously damaged what was already an aging school building, the Rushford-Peterson (Minn.) district has broken ground for a new school building in Rushford, Minn.
WXOW-TV says the $38 million, 170,000-square-foot-building will house more than 600 students from early childhood to 12th grade.
Voters approved a bond request last year to pay for the new facility. It will also offer more natural lighting throughout the building and be equipped with air conditioning.
"We're going to be looking at more energy efficiency for our buildings and an operating number of facilities," says Chuck Ehler, superintendent of Rushford-Peterson School District. "Not only that but facilitating better programs as far as having our children all in one center and better utilization of our staff from teachers to custodians.
Ever since the flooding in 2007, the district has fought for funding to get a new facility built. Finally, last November, a referendum narrowly passed, giving the go-ahead to build a new $38 million building.
The new building is scheduled to open in 2017. The architect is ATS&R.
Video from WXOW-TV:
About the Author
Mike Kennedy
Senior Editor
Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.