Plans Delayed for the New Dell Rapids School

by Stacy Steinhagen
July 26, 2010


For many longtime supporters of an elementary school in Dell Rapids, it now appears their patience is being tested again.

While many had hoped the school would open in the fall of 2011, school leaders say that's not expected to happen until at least January of 2012.

KDLT's Stacy Steinhagen takes at why they'll have to wait.

Those in Dell Rapids who wanted a new elementary school had to wait for the fifth vote.  An $11 million bond passed last February.  And now the doors won't open in the fall of 2011 as many expected.

"It wasn't promised," said Tom Ludens, Dell Rapids Superintendent.

Ludens says they had to wait for that 'yes' from voters.

"Because the election was in February, that pushes the construction time to anywhere from 12 to 14 months," said Ludens.

Ludens adds people in the district had a misconception that the design work on the school was done. He adds that getting the plans just right takes five to six months.

"With a building this size we knew it was going to take some time," said Ludens.

Some in the community, who also work for the district, are split on how they feel about waiting any longer for the building.

"I'd be disappointed for the kids more than myself because they're going to be just crowded and it's hard for those teachers to squish them all through the halls," said Ann Pierson of the Haven Program, a child care provider in Dell Rapids.

"We're moving forward and it's just a matter of time and when. And, like I said, I think they're doing it right by taking it slow," said Dale Solberg, a Dell Rapids Middle School teacher.

Along with still working on the plans for the new school, right now the district is also looking at its plans for kindergarten. The school board and administrators are considering offering all day, every day kindergarten. If they go with it, rooms in the new school will need to have a bathroom in the plans.  That will take more time.

"That's one thing that's on our planning table," said Ludens.

One thing they've already decided to do is accept a bid early for the prep work at the site of the new school.

That's because the dirt needs time to settle. In the meantime, plans are taking shape. And the district's goal now is to get the building far enough along so construction won't have to stop when the snow flies.

The district hopes to start construction in October.

School leaders also plan to put pictures on their website throughout the construction process to keep residents up to date on the progress.