SPS hosts tour of Bingham school before demolition

Students and employees who have been part of the history of Bingham Elementary are invited to tour the school before it is demolished.

A community open house is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m., April 27 at the school, 2126 E. Cherry St.

A year ago, Springfield Public Schools announced it expected to have more than $48 million in unspent bond funds available and proposed building a new Bingham and extensively remodeling the existing Bissett Elementary.

The Bingham project is expected to cost roughly $27 million.

A Community Task Force on Facilities recommended a list of projects for the $220 million bond issue approved by voters in April 2023.

The Bingham and Bissett projects were not on the original bond list, but they have been part of a list of pressing facility needs and were added when additional funds were available.

Bingham has more than 400 students, but its existing building constructed in 1957, and added onto over the years, has repeatedly been described by the district as outdated and too small.

A two-story, 65,000-square-foot school has been proposed for the existing campus with upgraded safety features, larger common spaces and ample natural light.

The existing building is expected to be demolished after the school year ends in May, and Bingham students and staff will temporarily move to the old Jarrett building on Jefferson Avenue during construction.

SPS is putting together a slideshow about the history of Bingham and asked anyone with photos to email the school at lrobertson@spsmail.org.

The SPS Board of Education contracted with Nabholz Construction Corp. to serve as the construction manager at risk, Paragon Architecture LLC for architectural services and Bumgarner Construction LLC for the demolition.