The economy might be struggling, but that is not affecting the number of students attending schools in the Blue Springs School District.
“Sixty years ago, this district was born,” said Superintendent Paul Kinder at the Blue Springs Education Foundation Breakfast Tuesday. “And we are continuing to see growth in our community.”
This is the second year for the foundation breakfast, which was at Blue Springs High School. The foundation’s goal – to enhance programs and instruction within the district while also providing assistance for student success. Last year, the foundation gave 17 mini-grants to teachers for “innovative programs” and 13 scholarships to graduating seniors at both Blue Springs and Blue Springs South high schools.
The breakfast serves as a way to honor donors and to show the community what the donations are put toward each year.
“Everything makes a difference in the lives of our students,” said Katherine Barton, executive director of the Blue Springs Education Foundation. “It doesn’t matter the amount you give because anything helps our students further succeed in life.”
As part of the breakfast, Kinder gave the state-of-the-district address, touching on everything from enrollment to MAP scores and the $86.5 million bond issue approved by voters almost one year ago.
“This year’s enrollment includes 1,056 kindergartners,” he said. “That is the largest kindergarten class ever in the school district. When this district started in 1949, we had only 674 students K-12.”
The breakfast was the first chance that many had to see the first phase of improvements at Blue Springs High School, one of 14 projects funded through the bond issue.
The high school improvements include increased security through building additions as well as redesigned classrooms for science and technology programs.
Kinder also highlighted the Blue Springs South renovations, which include a new media center and entryway, and an addition at Cordill-Mason Elementary that will redesign the school into a primary and upper elementary building.
Though many of the projects have been completed, there are subsequent phases at both Blue Springs and Blue South high schools as well as Cordill-Mason and the new transportation center that will continue through next summer.
Kinder said he felt it was important to not only update the community as to what is happening in the school district, but to also recognize them for their past and continued support.
“We appreciate what all of you do in the Blue Springs School District,” he said. “We appreciate everything you do for us and for our students. We couldn’t do what we do without your support.”
