Jefferson Elementary was hit by a tornado in 1999. It was the first school to have a safe room constructed. Photo courtesy Jefferson

Bond issue will build 60 new safe room storm shelters

Students at Stanley Elementary practice a tornado drill in the hallway. Stanley doesn't have a safe room. Photo by Susan Arensman

One part of the $350 million bond issue would build 60 safe room storm shelters. Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 10 - 14. As students practice during the state-wide tornado drill on March 11, some students will go to their school's safe room while most students will shelter in place in hallways, locker rooms and rest rooms. Currently, there are 36 schools with safe room storm shelters.

“A safe room is on top of the list for my parents,” said Julie Bettis, principal at Stanley Elementary. Bettis previously was the principal at McCollom Elementary, which has a safe room. Stanley does not.

“You just don’t feel nearly as confident during a tornado warning if you’re not in a safe room,” she said. “Back at McCollom, I felt very secure because I knew my students were safe. Plus they are all in one place, instead of in hallways throughout the building. It helps make sure all of our students are safe and accounted for.”

“The Wichita Public Schools has been recognized as a nationwide leader in the construction of safe rooms,” said Julie Hedrick, Director of Design and Construction. “We have been made even more aware of the importance of adequate shelters after tornadoes hit schools in Greensburg and in Enterprise, Alabama last year.”

The Wichita Public Schools had three schools that were hit by two separate tornadoes in 1999. Jefferson Elementary was struck by a tornado on April 5, 1999. Greiffenstein Special Education Center was destroyed and Chisholm Life Skills Center was heavily damaged on May 3, 1999. All three schools now have safe rooms. Staff say having a safe room brings peace of mind.

Jefferson staff remember the day the school was hit. The tornado damaged much of the building and destroyed the portable classroom where a few students had gathered to eat breakfast before school. No one was injured.

“If the tornado had hit just 30 minutes later, our school would have been filled with kids,” said P.E. teacher Terri Ruland. “What would have happened if there were more children? We still shudder to think about that.”

Besides building safe rooms, the bond issue will construct additional classrooms to accommodate growth in key areas of our community; support the end of busing for desegregation with renovations to schools in the AAA area to provide equitable facilities, and renovate or rebuild aging and unsafe fine arts, physical education and athletic facilities.

More information about the bond issue can be found on the district's website.

It's about Our Kids, Our Schools, and Our Future!




March 11, 2008