On a cloudy Tuesday afternoon, the Camdenton R-III School District — along with some adorable preschoolers — broke ground on the new Early Childhood Center.
Superintendent Brett Thompson called it a historic day, saying the district was turning more than dirt; it was laying a foundation for its youngest Lakers. The district held a ceremony for the project, with Student Board Advisor Carter Saab leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
The new center at Dogwood Elementary will include 12 general classrooms focused on pre-K, with four rooms designed as flexible spaces that could serve other needs. There will also be a large multipurpose room and an administrative area, with space serving as a FEMA shelter.
Dr. Keith White, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, was originally working with $2 million in FEMA funding before learning an additional $2 million was available. That allowed the district and SAPP Design to expand the project and address needs at Dogwood, which White described as the district's oldest facility.
"When we have an opportunity like this, where we can build something new, that can be a jump start for kids and for the future of this community," White said. "To me, it's a no-brainer."
Thompson credited the Board of Education, assistant superintendents, SAPP Design, Toth and Associates, and general contractor DeWitt & Associates, emphasizing the amount of work that goes into a project of this size.
John McNabb of SAPP Design said the additional FEMA funding changed the scope of the project. While he enjoys architecture in general, he said school projects carry a different kind of meaning.
"There's something particularly rewarding when that building is a school," McNabb said. "We know that this lays the groundwork for this school district to provide a long lasting foundation for the students, the teachers, and the community."
The ceremony ended with some of the students who will benefit most from the project. Current preschoolers performed a song about "digging in the dirt," then grabbed purple and yellow plastic shovels and helped break ground themselves.
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