BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. –The Blue Springs School Districts wants to make its schools safer for students and staff. The district is asking voters to approve a $20 million no tax increase bond on April 2 that will allow them to make the changes. Fourteen million of that will go toward moving the front offices at seven elementary schools, all four middle schools, and the Freshman Center to the front of the buildings.
Delta Woods Middle School Principal Steve Cook says moving the offices from the center of the school to the front will strictly limit access before visitors check in.
“This is something that has been the in planning for several years, but unfortunately with the tragedy we saw in Sandy Hook, our school board really took a hard look at what we are doing at the middle schools and the designs of our buildings,” said Cook.
Other safety upgrades will also be made, like putting telephones in each classroom, replacing the intercom system.
“There are going to be some upgrades that we won’t tell people just to protect our kids,” said Blue Springs Spokesperson, Cara Anger.
Upgrades to elementary playgrounds and improvements to the Freshman Center media center would also be made upon approval.
The Bond will not raise taxes for voters, and if approved, the district says the changes could be in place by this fall.