Progress as Promised – Bond Construction Update

Construction is nearly complete in the Independence School District thanks to the passage of a $38 million bond to ease overcrowding, eliminate all mobile trailers in the district and advance the Academy model for all ISD high school students. Superintendent Dr. Dale Herl is proud of the progress and thankful for the community support, “I’m so appreciative to our voters. I can’t say enough about the trust they put into us. It passed at a historic rate so that really says a lot about how the public feels about the things we are doing and really the need for these projects.”

Progress as promised at the site of the ISD’s newest elementary school. With a capacity of 500-550 students, Cassell Park Elementary at 31^st Street and Hardy Avenue will have the latest technology and open in the summer of 2019. Dr. Herl says, “The new elementary, our 20^th, is a huge win for our entire community. We continue to grow as a school district and that has caused overcrowding issues at all of our elementary schools. This is going to allow us the space we need but also meet the educational needs of our kids.”

At Truman High School, the lunchroom expansion is complete along with the new entry, addressing safety concerns and modernizing the building exterior. The bond included remodeling science classrooms and a four-classroom addition on the south side of the school. That moved four math classrooms out of the mobile trailers and into the school building.

The progress is also evident at Van Horn High School. The new addition on the east side of the building is complete, housing an impressive commercial kitchen for culinary students from all three ISD high schools. The upgrades also include a new metals classroom, remodeled science classrooms, physical therapy and athletic training space and a competition gym. Watch exciting moments from the ribbon cutting ceremony here.

At William Chrisman, the four-classroom addition and remodeled science classrooms are complete. A weight room has been added, allowing the wrestling room to move to the old weight room. The physical therapy and athletic training classroom spaces for the Academies are finished at Chrisman, Truman and Van Horn.

The bond will ease overcrowding, eliminate all mobile trailers in the district, as well as add and enhance classrooms at all three ISD high schools for STEM, Culinary, Vocational and Business coursework.