SPS conducts first Prop S groundbreaking

Springfield Public Schools yesterday held its first Proposition S groundbreaking event with the ceremonial launch of construction for the multimillion-dollar Southwest Region Early Childhood Center.

The new center, located on property near southwest Springfield’s Carver Middle School, is part of the $168 million bond proposal, nicknamed Prop S, that was approved by voters in April. While some work, including secure entrances at schools, already has begun, a groundbreaking ceremony for a major project funded by Prop S had not yet been held until yesterday, said Ren Luebbering, a spokeswoman for the district.

Last month, the SPS Board of Education approved DeWitt & Associates Inc.’s $9.3 million bid to construct the Early Childhood Center, which is scheduled for completion by August 2020. Paragon Architecture LLC and Sapp Design Associates Architects PC partnered on the center’s architecture work, according to a news release.

"We know it is because of your continued support and dedication to children that we are here today, marking the beginning of an exciting expansion of services for our youngest learners in southwest Springfield,” SPS Superintendent John Jungmann said in the release.

The center is designed to accommodate 250 preschool students, adding to the nearly 1,000 children who already receive early childhood education.

Other planned Prop S projects include new construction of Delaware Elementary School for $23.8 million and renovation of Sunshine Elementary School for $13.9 million, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.