JOPLIN, Mo. —
Members of the Joplin Board of Education on Tuesday night heard enrollment numbers that the superintendent said were cause for celebration.
For 2011-12, the district’s enrollment dropped by 265 students from the previous school year’s figure, presumably because of the May 2011 tornado. So far, the district has gained back 210 students.
“We wrapped our arms around these families and did everything we could to keep them here, and that effort’s paid off,” Superintendent C.J. Huff said. “Those are good numbers and certainly something to celebrate. It’s going to be an exciting place to be. We’re going to have some beautiful schools and some affordable housing for families to live, and this is going to be a bright spot in the Midwest.”
Angie Besendorfer, assistant superintendent, said the head count has continued to rise since the first day of the school. She said the district is up from last year by 131 students at the elementary schools, 51 students at the middle schools and 28 students at the high school.
The board’s discussion Tuesday night focused mainly on the next steps of rebuilding schools destroyed in the tornado. It included construction updates, and what to name new schools and classrooms as buildings are completed.
The panel voted to create committees to discuss naming options for the new elementary schools as well as naming opportunities for areas at the new Joplin High School. Members decided they would keep the traditional names that already are associated with many parts of Joplin High School, such as Kaminsky Gymnasium, and look for other naming opportunities, such as those for athletic fields and classrooms.
The board approved several contracts for the Irving Elementary and East Middle School projects for items including structural steel, concrete, plumbing and electrical work.
Huff said the district is working with the Joplin Museum Complex and the city about removing the sign at the old Joplin High School in the next month or two as construction moves forward.
“That’s an important historical marker for a lot of people in this community, and we’re going to do our part to preserve it,” Huff said.
Mike Johnson, director of construction, told the board that the district has been approved for federal funding for community storm shelters at Irving Elementary and East Middle School, two of the schools that are being rebuilt after they were destroyed in the tornado. The funding for a shelter at the high school has yet to be approved, Johnson said.
Johnson previously noted that the cost estimate for putting in community storm shelters at all of the damaged schools, including the high school, Irving and East, is just more than $5 million. The district’s 15 percent share of that would come to $750,000, with the state picking up 10 percent and the federal government covering the rest.
The board heard from Kim Vann, director of community development, and Kelli Price, communications specialist, about plans for revamping the district’s communications plan. They also unveiled Eddie the Eagle, a cartoon eagle that will be featured in coloring books in an effort to increase school pride throughout the district.
The board reviewed a rough draft of district goals that will be voted on at the September meeting. It is set for Sept. 25 at the administration building on East 32nd Street.
Tax rate
THE JOPLIN SCHOOL BOARD on Tuesday approved the school district’s tax rate at $3.66 per $100 of assessed valuation. The total reflects the 35-cent levy increase voters approved in April in their endorsement of a $62 million bond issue in connection with the rebuilding effort.
May 2011 Joplin tornado
Joplin schools superintendent: Enrollment cause for celebration
- May 2011 Joplin tornado
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Illinois youth group arrives in Joplin to assemble house
Break time was approaching, but Keith Duncan wanted to make one last concentrated push in order to get the large Penske truck unloaded. “Two minutes, people! Two minutes!” he yelled as the students and adults hauling large wooden sections out of the truck began picking up the pace.
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SLIDESHOW: One year later, One day of unity, updated
Photos from a day of events commemorating the May 22, 2011 tornado anniversary
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Last of 586 FEMA trailers in Joplin to be prepared for move
For 19 months, rows of nearly 600 units spread out among community and commercial sites were a visual reminder of the homes lost in Joplin on May 22, 2011. One by one, contractors began disassembling and moving the trailers, a testament to their occupants having found places to live.
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Civil engineers release study of Joplin tornado damage
It did not take much wind to flatten houses in the Joplin tornado zone because so many were poorly constructed to withstand wind, according to a study released recently by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Rescuers, tornado victims reunite at Quapaw station
There were lots of hugs exchanged, pictures taken and memories summoned when fire crews on Friday met the two youngsters they pulled, critically injured, from the wreckage of Joplin’s 2011 tornado.
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Quapaw tribe’s firefighters, EMS personnel meet with children rescued at Home Depot in 2011
There were hugs, stories and the occasional tear this morning when two children who were trapped and seriously injured after the 2011 Joplin tornado met for the first time the Quapaw Tribe firefighters and emergency medical workers who pulled them from the wreckage and saved their lives that night.
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New members take seats on redevelopment board
Three new members took their places on the board of the Joplin Redevelopment Corp. in a meeting Thursday. The panel welcomed as new members Laurie Delano, vice president of finance for Empire District Electric Co.; Gary Duncan, retired president and chief executive of Freeman Health System; and Phil Stinnett, a former Joplin council member and mayor.
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Tornado grant trustees look to shelter placement
Trustees overseeing a Joplin tornado fund hope to use some of their remaining money to move FEMA-financed tornado shelters to areas where they are needed.
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Documentary about Joplin Globe coverage of tornado wins 2013 Mirror Award
The documentary “Deadline in Disaster” has won a 2013 Mirror Award in the “Best Single Story” category.
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Oklahoma photo collection to begin with ‘Picture Patrol’
A new national photo rescue operation based in Carthage that formed to help salvage and return to owners what was lost in the Joplin tornado has reached out to Moore, Okla., and next week will help storm victims there get down to business.
- More May 2011 Joplin tornado Headlines
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