USD 253 Emporia Public Schools has broken ground on the future of early childhood learning.
School board members, architects and district administrators all convened at 327 South Walnut Thursday afternoon to officially break ground on the district’s new Early Childhood Learning Center. The new facility is one of several projects included the in the district’s multi-million dollar Building for the Future bond initiative approved by voters last fall.
Board of Education President Mike Crouch says the new facility is a source of great pride for the district and one they have been looking forward to celebrating.
Crouch also expressed his gratitude to all involved in the project in particular the Jones Testamentary Trust which awarded the district a multi-year $6 million grant to assist with the early learning center back in June.
Eric Woltje of McCowngordon Construction is one of many individuals who has been at the heart of the project since the beginning. He says the new center is designed not only to meet the needs of current USD 253 students but also generations of students to come.
Gravel and concrete work on the project is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. Woltje tells KVOE News the new facility is scheduled to be completed by December of next year.
The new learning center is one of three projects included in phase one of the bond initiative which also includes upgrades to Walnut Elementary — those renovations are currently underway — and Emporia High School.
