$100 Million in Construction Funding Coming to Area Schools
By
Stephanie Tyrpak
By
Randy Livingston
Story Created:
Feb 16, 2012 at 7:17 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 17, 2012 at 7:34 AM CDT
MT. VERNON -- Millions in state funding will go to more than 30 Illinois schools to build new facilities, expand, or make repairs.
In southern Illinois, more than $56 million will go to the Marion Unit School District. Mt. Vernon Township High School will get $47 million. The Shawnee School District is set to receive more than $2 million.
Mt. Vernon Township High School has spent almost ten years waiting for money to build a new facility. Thursday morning, the district learned that state funding was finally coming their way.
"We're just elated at the possibilities that lie ahead," said Superintendent Michael Smith.
The new campus will consist of a two-story, 320,000 square foot high school with 95 classrooms.
"The total project is scheduled now for a maximum of $72 million dollars," said Smith. "There's up to $24 million that will need to be raised locally."
More than $19 million dollars has already been secured from a referendum passed in April.
Mt. Vernon Township High School serves an area 250 square miles and is currently home to more than 1300 students. The new project is still a few years away but would be designed to hold more than 1800 students.
The existing facility is made up of 11 buildings, with the oldest section dating back more than century.
"Learning today is not the same as it was of course 100, 75, or 50 years ago," said Smith.
The district is now looking to have a timeline for when all the money will be in place, while moving forward on possible building sites and design plans.
"It's truly been a coming together of an entire community for a project that is not only greatly needed, but something that will definitely be an asset to Mt. Vernon for many years to come," said Smith.
Smith believes the planning stage will take another six months and the actual construction will take about two years. The new high school could open in 2015.
Some of Marion's money will reimburse the district for the new Creal Springs school. Most of the funding, however, is being put toward a new high school.
Shawnee plans to put a K-5 addition onto their junior high and high school in Wolf Lake. Right now, the district has two elementary schools 26 miles apart. One school is located in McClure, and one is in Grand Tower.
