The Lawton Constitution reports that the new L. Mendel Rivers Elementary School will replace a facility that houses pre-kindergarten to fourth grade and is badly in need of repairs, safety upgrades and other renovations.
The existing Rivers Elementary was built in 1959 and received its last major upgrade in 1986.
The new facility will accommodate 640 students, much larger than the existing school's 210-student capacity. The new Rivers Elementary will have STEM labs, ADA-compliant facilities, special needs classrooms, a tornado shelter and other safety enhancements.
Construction is expected to take two to three years, according to district officials.
Mike Kennedy has been writing about education forAmerican School & Universitysince 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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