Chickashanews.com

Local News

Related Photos

  • The bond issue that is up for vote in Minco in April could result in a new school for the district. Photo courtesy of Kevin Sims

    New High School.jpg

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
February 6, 2013

Minco bond issue could lead to new high school

Jessica Lane, Staff Writer, jlane@chickashanews.com The Express-Star

MINCO — A bond proposed on the April 2 ballot could result in a new high school for Minco Public Schools as well as growth for the Minco community if passed.

"I think Minco is ready for this," Minco Public Schools superintendent, Kevin Sims said.

The school is the focal point of the Minco community, and communities that invest in their school facilities tend to experience growth, Sims said.

The 40 acres of land across from the intersection of Sager Rd and Highway 81 will be the site of the new 42,000 square foot facility if the bond passes.

The $13,595,000 bond will give the district a new high school, auditorium and update the football field with new bleachers and a press box.

The new high school will have 10 new state-of-the-art classrooms, two labs, a library and media center, a family and consumer science lab, a computer lab and office space.

The library will be a lot more technologically advanced, Sims said. Students will be able to access periodicals and books electronically.

The new high school will also feature a large commons area, which is capable of comfortably seating 300 students.

A new kitchen is not going to be built at this time. Food will be transported to the commons area daily. The commons area will also serve as a gathering area for little league sign ups, 4-H meetings and other community needs, Sims said.

The auditorium will seat 1,000 compared to the current auditorium which only seats 500. Last year, there were about 800 in attendance for the school's Christmas program, meaning that 300 people had to stand for the duration of the performance, Sims said. The auditorium is something the community is interested in and wants, Sims said.

The bleachers at the present football field are very old, Sims said, and present a safety hazard. They have been continuously re-welded.  

The present high school is actually a metal barn that was built in the 1970s. The roof leaks despite efforts to patch the holes.  

If there are funds left, the school will reallocate these funds to other improvements for the school.

"We need something more conducive to learning," Sims said. Students at Minco are already excited about the prospect of a new, more aesthetically pleasing school, Sims said.

Currently, Sims anticipates that if the bond passes, the doors of the new facility will open in August 2015.

Text Only
Local News