SPS board approves $370M master plan

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education yesterday approved a 12-year, $367.6 million facility master plan.

The approval comes a month after Tallahassee, Florida-based MGT of America Inc. - the district’s hired consultant - recommended the two-phase construction and renovation plan.

"With the adoption of the facility master plan, we are defining a common vision for creating quality learning environments in our schools that will benefit not only students but our entire community," SPS Superintendent John Jungmann said in a news release. "Maintaining quality schools is an investment that will benefit students and contribute to Springfield's vitality, helping to make it a place where families choose to live for generations to come."

The plan calls on new construction projects and renovations that would move 22 district schools currently rated as unsatisfactory or poor into the excellent or new categories, as well as several listed as fair or good moving to excellent condition.

SPS needs voter-approved bonds for both phases of the project. During the meeting yesterday, the school board began talks about placing a $189 million request on the April 4 ballot to fund Phase I projects. The board will continue discussing the potential bond issue at its Jan. 10 meeting, according to the release.

The facility master plan includes construction of four combined elementary and middle school campuses, as well as three replacement elementary schools; and renovations at schools including Jeffries, Pittman, Wilder, Field, Disney, Holland, Carver and McBride.