Springfield Public Sschools officials say a $6.5 million gift from the William H. Darr and Darr Family Foundation will be used to construct two buildings. One will be a classroom building to house an SPS magnet school dedicated to agricultural education. The other will be a companion animal education facility for Missouri State University's William H. Darr College of Agriculture.
The school, for elementary students, will be a new choice program for the district. It's expected to open in teh fall of 2021 and will serve approximately 150 students.
The gift to fund the school is part of teh MSU campaign, Onward, Upward.
Dr. John Jungmann, SPS superintendent, said the new school will be part of the district's effort to enhance workforce development "by ensuring our students are better prepared for a variety of college and career opportunities."
