Elementary Lucky 13th for Union District

By David Schulte World Staff Writer

Union Public Schools will begin construction on a new elementary school in mid May.

The 70,000-square-foot school will be located on 10 acres between 81st and 91st streets and Garnett Road and U.S. 169, near the Oak Tree Village subdivision, said Jarod Mendenhall, assistant superintendent for support services.

The total cost to build the district’s 13th elementary school is about $11.13 million, which includes engineering and other professional services, he said.

It is expected to be completed and open for children to attend by 2008.

Funds for the school were approved by voters last February as part of a $17 million bond issue.

The school was needed to keep pace with the district’s enrollment and to expand its 4-year-old program to an all-day curriculum during the 2008-2009 academic year, said Kathy Dodd, executive director for elementary education at Union.

Children in the 4-year-old program currently attend school half a day.

In recent years, the district’s enrollment has increased by an average of 250 students per year, and that number could rise once 4- year-olds go to school all day.

Enrollment for the 4-year-old program is projected to increase from 550 students this year to 1,100 students within two years, Dodd said.

Once the school opens, it will create enough classroom space at all Union elementary schools for 4-year-olds to attend a school in their neighborhood, she said.

The all-day curriculum for 4-year-olds will have a major impact on children’s education, Dodd said.

“It will build the foundation and fundamentals for math, reading and social skills,” she said.

One item that the district still needs to address is classroom furniture and equipment, Mendenhall said.

The district plans on calling for a 2008 bond issue that would provide funds for furniture and equipment, he said.

The new school will be similar in size and scope to Rosa Parks Elementary, 13702 E. 46th Place, which opened last August.

It will have 30 classrooms, a media center, a computer room, an art room and a full-size gymnasium.

A committee consisting of Union educators, parents and students will be formed by the spring of 2008 to determine the name of the school, Mendenhall said.

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