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Education news and issues in the Ozarks.

SPS Board of Education Given Options for Addressing Facility Needs

Michele Skalicky
/
KSMU

Two options for dealing with the facility needs of the Springfield Public School District have been presented to the Board of Education.

The options are part of the district’s facility master planning process, which included an assessment of about 60 buildings by an independent team of facility experts and an analysis of community feedback and other information, according to Superintendent Dr. John Jungmann.

The first option is to keep the current grade configurations with some additional alternatives, while the second option is to create combined Middle School and Elementary campuses. Each option would include renovations or improvements in all schools.

He says the options will be the topic of continued discussion in the coming weeks as the school board works on a plan for future facility improvements.  According to Jungmann, any changes would be implemented over the next 10 to 12 years. 

These options were developed in response to Springfield Schools’ Basys Assessment Scores. This assessment evaluates building conditions, educational suitability, technology readiness, and the site condition. While some Springfield schools scored in the good to excellent rage, a majority were fair or poor, some even unsatisfactory.

These two options will aim to eliminate these poor scores, and increase not only the Basys scores but also increase utilization on facilities and improve accommodations in all of SPS’ schools.

View the suggested improvements and costs by MGT Management Consulting, LLC here.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.