Officials break ground on $13.6 million Van Buren school

City, county and Van Buren school officials broke ground Tuesday on a new $13.6 million building for King Elementary School, according to a statement from the district.

The new facility is expected to house 550 students compared to the 320 students now packed into the existing elementary building. The new 74,000-square-foot school is expected to be completed by August 2011 and will be built across the street (North 20th and Baldwin) from the existing school.

“The new King School will be Leadership Energy Environmental Design (LEED) Certified. This green design will provide the teachers with the opportunity to teach students about Architecture, Engineering and Energy Saving. The district has worked with architects throughout the planning process to meet every aspect of student needs,” noted a statement from the school district.

Money for the building comes from school district funds, state funds and money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Other facts about the new building, according to the district, are:
• The new building will have 25 classrooms, four special education rooms, a pre-school facility, a parent center and rooms for physical education, music, art, and counseling.

• The library and computer Lab will be outfitted with modern technology and equipment.

• A stage will be constructed in the cafeteria for student and community events.

• A community safe room is also planned for the new building.

• Outside, easy access to the building is included along with adequate parking and separate drives for Pre-K, bus and parent drop-off and pick-up.

• The architect for the King Elementary School project is MAHG Architecture, the construction manager is Nabholz Construction Services, the civil engineer is Hawkins-Weir Engineers Inc., the structural engineer is Myers-Beatty Inc., and the LEED consultant is Viridian of Little Rock.