Collinsville Superintendent
of School Pat Herald told the Education Foundation that several options for
growing and maintaining the school district had been considered, but state
mandated all-day kindergarten by 2010 was the driving factor in this bond
plan. Collinsville started an all-day kindergarten program at the beginning
of this school year but there were simply not enough classrooms on the Wilson
Elementary campus to allow all the children wanting into the program to participate.
Initial planning to build more classrooms at Wilson were dropped as practically
all existing playground area would have been eliminated. The current plan
has 18 new classrooms, a commons and offices being added just north of Herald
Elementary (and south of the Sportsplex). This facility would house the kindergarten
students and early childhood students. This would free up classrooms at Wilson
be a significant facilities improvement from the current
ECC at a former church at 10th & Oak.
Another planned improvements
in the bond issue is an 8-lane athletic track to be build north west of the
high school on property purchased in the previous bond issue. Collinsville
schools have never had a track facility and it would be a hugh boost to the
track programs at all grade levels here. The track would also be available
for public use when not in use for school activities.
New band uniforms and
instuments are also in the plan. Some Vision 2025 funds are still anticipated
to help with the instruments.
A 60% approval is required
for school bond votes so get out and vote Feb. 14th (Valentines Day) to help
our schools improve and stay ahead of Collinsville growth. -- Ted Wright
