Cassville School Board front-burners
proposed Performing Arts Center
The above aerial view of the Cassville High School campus (with north shown at the top) depicts the proposed design for a new performing arts facility to be located adjacent to the south end of the existing high school. In the photo, Partridge Drive is shown at the bottom; Y Highway is shown on the left.
The dotted areas between the existing structure and the proposed new structure indicate proposed space for future growth and program expansion. The initial key construction focus will be the lobby, restrooms and performing arts area, in addition to a loading dock behind the building on the east side, and parking areas on the south and east sides of the proposed new building.
The future growth area would be constructed as slab concrete, with footers and foundations to allow for classroom expansion at a later date.
Although more planning and review are needed, initial estimates indicate that the first part of the project will cost about $5 million, with $3 million estimated for future expansion into the additional space.
Finance options are being explored and reviewed, and will then be presented to the Board review.
The Board has indicated that this project will be a priority for the Cassville School District and the community.
The dotted areas between the existing structure and the proposed new structure indicate proposed space for future growth and program expansion. The initial key construction focus will be the lobby, restrooms and performing arts area, in addition to a loading dock behind the building on the east side, and parking areas on the south and east sides of the proposed new building.
The future growth area would be constructed as slab concrete, with footers and foundations to allow for classroom expansion at a later date.
Although more planning and review are needed, initial estimates indicate that the first part of the project will cost about $5 million, with $3 million estimated for future expansion into the additional space.
Finance options are being explored and reviewed, and will then be presented to the Board review.
The Board has indicated that this project will be a priority for the Cassville School District and the community.
April 21, 2021
Sheila Harris
During its April 15 meeting, the Cassville School Board opted to moved forward with exploring financing and construction options for a proposed performing arts center for the high school, with a goal of having the project completed within three years.
According to district superintendent, Dr. Richard Asbill, the estimated cost of the project will be between $5 and $8 million. A plan to engage the project in phases - so that financial obligations would be more manageable and financial opportunities could be explored - was presented to the Board.
Dr. Asbill and Dr. Merlyn Johnson - who will replace Dr. Asbill as Cassville R-IV superintendent for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year - will begin working on finance options and bid packages with the architect and possible construction management firms to begin planning, design and bid package development.
In other matters, it was decided that current guidelines for the masking of students and all employees will remain in place, with a goal of evaluating COVID-19 impacts (positive rates and quarantines) over the next several weeks, then hopefully transition to “Traditional School” by the end of the school year and for summer school. Concerns were reviewed regarding immediate masking changes and impacts with quarantines for students, classes, and employees with end of year events so close.
The “Vision 150” bond projects were summarized, including the new Early Childhood Center and WILD Academy. The bond was passed by voter approval in 2019.
An open house for the completed WILD Academy (formerly the Middle School) is scheduled for Friday, May 28. Chamber members are invited for coffee at 8:30 a.m. The building will be open for tours by alumni and staff at 9:30 a.m.
Playground expansion and renovation plans were presented to the Board, who requested proposal and bid packages be developed to begin possible construction on the project in June 2021.
Asbill reminded personnel that health insurance enrollment is open, and that eligible employees need to complete the enrollment process by May 7.
It was decided that bids for the purchase of the Golden School House property - currently owned by the Cassville School District - will be accepted.
“The property is currently used as a community center and polling place in Golden,” Asbill said. “It has become a surplus to us, but we hope that whoever buys it will continue to use it for the good of the community.”
Asbill also reminds residents to reach out to Missouri Representative Scott Cupps and Senator Mike Moon on behalf of public education and monitor the progress of pending “education reform” bills.
“The end of the legislative session is upon us,” Asbill said. “It’s the time when legislators traditionally begin combining bills and introducing bills that are not always good for public education and our local efforts to respond to our community needs.”
Sheila Harris
During its April 15 meeting, the Cassville School Board opted to moved forward with exploring financing and construction options for a proposed performing arts center for the high school, with a goal of having the project completed within three years.
According to district superintendent, Dr. Richard Asbill, the estimated cost of the project will be between $5 and $8 million. A plan to engage the project in phases - so that financial obligations would be more manageable and financial opportunities could be explored - was presented to the Board.
Dr. Asbill and Dr. Merlyn Johnson - who will replace Dr. Asbill as Cassville R-IV superintendent for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year - will begin working on finance options and bid packages with the architect and possible construction management firms to begin planning, design and bid package development.
In other matters, it was decided that current guidelines for the masking of students and all employees will remain in place, with a goal of evaluating COVID-19 impacts (positive rates and quarantines) over the next several weeks, then hopefully transition to “Traditional School” by the end of the school year and for summer school. Concerns were reviewed regarding immediate masking changes and impacts with quarantines for students, classes, and employees with end of year events so close.
The “Vision 150” bond projects were summarized, including the new Early Childhood Center and WILD Academy. The bond was passed by voter approval in 2019.
An open house for the completed WILD Academy (formerly the Middle School) is scheduled for Friday, May 28. Chamber members are invited for coffee at 8:30 a.m. The building will be open for tours by alumni and staff at 9:30 a.m.
Playground expansion and renovation plans were presented to the Board, who requested proposal and bid packages be developed to begin possible construction on the project in June 2021.
Asbill reminded personnel that health insurance enrollment is open, and that eligible employees need to complete the enrollment process by May 7.
It was decided that bids for the purchase of the Golden School House property - currently owned by the Cassville School District - will be accepted.
“The property is currently used as a community center and polling place in Golden,” Asbill said. “It has become a surplus to us, but we hope that whoever buys it will continue to use it for the good of the community.”
Asbill also reminds residents to reach out to Missouri Representative Scott Cupps and Senator Mike Moon on behalf of public education and monitor the progress of pending “education reform” bills.
“The end of the legislative session is upon us,” Asbill said. “It’s the time when legislators traditionally begin combining bills and introducing bills that are not always good for public education and our local efforts to respond to our community needs.”
