BLOOMSDALE – Bloomsdale Elementary School held a groundbreaking ceremony recently to start construction of a new addition to the school.
Voters approved this and several other projects in the Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District by approving a no-tax rate increase $20 million bond referendum, with 70.51 percent support last year.
The bond issue will also pay for a new Early Childhood Center, as well as renovations and additions in the areas of accessibility, safety and security, and activities throughout the district.
Superintendent Dr. Julie Flieg kicked off the ceremony by recognizing some of the guests in attendance, including students, families, faculty and staff, facility committee members, Prop SG Campaign Committee members, campaign donors, board of education members, community leaders, business owners and elected representatives — who all provided valuable feedback and support through the facilities planning and bond election process.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a community that supports our schools,” Dr. Flieg shared. “At SG R-II, our motto is DRAGONS: Family. Tradition. Excellence., and a strong, supportive community is absolutely essential to ensure that we can live up to those ideals.”
Dr. Flieg also welcomed the district’s architectural firm and Construction Manager At-Risk, KRJ Architects and Brockmiller Construction, Inc. She pointed out that the design and construction process has been moving along smoothly and efficiently, and the district is thankful to them for their expertise, patience and dedication.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor then provided an overview of the school’s new secure main entrance that will be composed of an approximately 1500 sq. foot addition. This would allow the school office to securely welcome visitors and route them either into the office space or into the building. This space will include the double-gated entry, offices, a work space and a restroom. The existing spaces where the offices are currently located will be renovated. Bloomsdale Elementary’s project is the first of the Prop SG projects to undergo construction, with the hope of being completed before school begins in the fall.
“These groundbreaking events provide us an opportunity to celebrate, as well as thank, the many individuals and organizations who helped make these initiatives a reality,” Dr. Taylor said. “We are excited about the educational opportunities these Prop SG will provide, and are delighted to be getting construction underway.”
Kelly Heberlie, interim principal of Bloomsdale Elementary, welcomed attendees and shared that the students and staff look forward to seeing everyone visit once the project is complete!
“We are so happy to have you all here with us at Bloomsdale Elementary this morning to celebrate the start of construction on our new main entrance addition,” Heberlie said. “All this week, we could feel the excitement of the students and staff as we watched the construction vehicles begin dirt work. Seeing our hopes and plans for our school become a reality— that is an inspiring, real-world example for our students of how we can reach our goals with dedication and teamwork.”
At the event, students led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance before helping the Board of Education members count down to turn a shovel of dirt! Students had the opportunity to don a hard hat, pick up a shovel and move some dirt themselves!
School Board President David Bova closed the ceremony, sharing that this day would not have been possible without the hard work of all of those who donated their time, effort and patience into making these projects a reality.
“The four areas of focus encompassed within Prop SG are Early Childhood, safety and security, accessibility, and activities. The construction and renovations, once completed, will benefit not only our students and employees, but also our communities as a whole,” Bova said. “Thank you all for your support, and thank you to all of those who voted in favor of Prop SG in order to make these facilities projects and all of the opportunities that come with them, possible.”
In the photos:
Board of Education members Josh Gettinger, Jamie Ballew, Jim Kirchner, vice president Eric Basler and president David Bova turn a shovel of dirt with Representative Rick Francis, who attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
A group of students, families, faculty and staff, Facility Committee members, Prop SG Campaign Committee members, campaign donors, Board of Education members, community leaders, business owners and elected representatives took a group photo.
Bloomsdale Elementary students turn a shovel of dirt at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.