Officials in the Redfield (S.D.) district are scheduled to break ground later this spring on a new school that will house preschool to 12th grade.
The Aberdeen American News reports that the $20 million project will replace a 100-year-old campus. Part of the existing building was constructed in 1917, and an addition was built in 1934.
Voters approved a $16 million bond proposal in February 2016 to cover the majority of the cost. The remainder of the money will come from the district's capital outlay funds.
Superintendent Shad Storley says that in addition to classrooms, the building will have an auditorium and auxiliary gym, as well as a new kitchen and commons area.
Storley says the new school will be accessible to everyone because it will be built on a single level.
"Our elementary building is three floors, our junior high/high school is two floors with no elevators," he says. "Our new building will not have any steps in it, except for the theater."
The school is being built on the site of the existing campus. District officials say the site is convenient for students walking to class, and moving to a different location would have added $7 million to the project cost.
