Nixa proposes new elementary school

Superintendent of Schools Stephen Kleinsmith said figures released this morning show an increase of 404 students in the last 13 months, bringing the Nixa School District’s total to 4,882 students.

“We’re growing at a pace that requires the passage of a bond issue about every two years for a new facility,” Kleinsmith said.

The April bond issue would fund the construction of a K-4 school on Cheyenne Road, as well as three other growth-related projects: a new industrial arts center at the high school, the completion of the third floor of the high school, and a new library media center at Espy Elementary.

If approved, construction of the school would begin in May, and all projects would be complete in time for the 2007-2008 school year.

Kleinsmith said he believes voters will be more likely to approve the bond issue because it doesn’t require a tax increase, but he said the district still plans to tout the issue fervently over the next two months.

“It’s all about communication from this point forward,” he said.

District officials began last week presenting their case for the bond issue and will attend meetings of clubs and organizations to continue the push. The public also is invited to Koffee with Kleinsmith 9–10:30 a.m. March 21 at Annex A at the district’s Central Office, 205 North St.

The bond issue needs a 58 percent “yes” vote to pass.

In addition to the new elementary school, the district’s 10-year master plan calls for a second junior high school in 2009, a new fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school in 2011 and a new high school in 2013, Kleinsmith said.