28-05-2025
SPS finishes two more school shelters, will use leftover funds for two new projects
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield Public Schools (SPS) has finished building storm shelters in Holland and Cowden Elementary Schools.
They are the final two of six school storm shelters built under Proposition 'S'. The other four schools are Pittman, Watkins, Wilder, and Mann.
The shelters are mostly located in larger areas like gymnasiums, auditoriums or cafeterias.
Proposition 'S' was approved in 2023, which authorized a $220-million bond towards the funding of the six shelters.
According to Sean Dilday, the Executive Director of SPS, there is money left over, which will now be used towards two other projects, involving Bingham and Bissett elementaries.
'We'll be adding the two new projects. Bingham Elementary will be a tear down of the existing building. We'll build a new building, an elementary and then add a storm shelter to that location,' explains Dilday. 'Bissett will be a complete remodel of the existing building and we'll be adding a storm shelter as well to that building.'
Dilday adds that the shelters will provide safety for students first and staff in the buildings during school, then to the community members after hours. In emergencies, however, they 'will never turn someone down' who needs help.
The district currently has 20 different storm shelters. Locations can be found on the SPS website.
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