Construction is on track for the Festus R-6 School District’s Middle School addition, and planning is underway for an addition to be built at the district’s Intermediate School, Superintendent Nicki Ruess said.
In addition, plans to build a wellness center have been revived, she said.
Two years ago, school officials postponed plans to have a wellness center built next to the south side of Festus High School after estimated construction costs came in higher than expected.
Those earlier plans called for the construction of a 40,000- to 42,000-square-foot wellness center that would provide seating for at least 2,100; house a gymnasium and small indoor track; and provide space for basketball and wrestling events.
The problem was the original estimated cost for the project was $14 million, but when the district requested construction bids, it received just one for about $27 million. So, the Board of Education voted in November 2022 to put the project on hold.
Now, however, school officials have decided to proceed with the project, Ruess said.
She cautioned that any prior figures associated with the wellness center likely no longer apply, with the size and cost of the new building to be determined later.
Ruess said the wellness center still would be built next to the high school, 501 Westwind Drive.
“We would target the spring of 2026 for going out to bid (for construction of the wellness center) with the hope of completing it in the spring of 2027,” she said.
Middle School addition
Brockmiller Construction in Farmington was awarded a $7,574,900 contract to build the 20,041-square-foot addition at the Middle School, 1717 W. Main St.
Ruess said construction on the addition began on April 15 and is on schedule and on budget.
“We are hoping to move into it for the start of school in August,” she said. “We hope to move the sixth grade into it (at that time).”
The district’s sixth grade, which is housed in the Intermediate School with the fourth and fifth grades, will be moved into Middle School, joining the seventh and eighth grades currently housed there.
The existing Middle School includes 69,807 square feet, so when the addition is finished, it will total 89,848 square feet.
The new wing will include 10 new classrooms, restrooms and a band room. The project also includes renovations to the Middle School cafeteria and its multipurpose room.
Intermediate School addition
The addition at the Intermediate School, 1501 Mid-Meadow Lane, is the next major construction project the district will tackle.
“We have not yet gone to bid for it yet,” she said. “We’re still in the design phase. We would like to bid the project in early winter.”
When that addition is completed, Festus R-6 officials plan to move the district’s third grade students from Festus Elementary to the Intermediate School.
“The addition at the Intermediate will add eight new classrooms, restrooms, and the project also will make renovations to the existing locker room area,” Ruess said. “We are hopeful to have the third grade move to the Intermediate in August 2026.”
Additions needed for growing student body
The district will use revenue from a 59-cent tax increase voters approved in April 2019 to cover the cost of the additions and the wellness center.
Ruess said the district needs the additions because more space is required for the growing number of students enrolled there.
“Our student population now is 3,520 for our Early Childhood Education program through our 12th grade,” she said.
In 2019, about 3,000 students were enrolled, Ruess said.
“Every year we’ve added about 100 students,” she said. “I do still see that trend continuing.”
Ruess said she appreciates the Festus R-6 residents for approving the funding source needed to fund the additions and other projects.
“The community support has allowed us to meet the needs of the growth we’re experiencing,” she said.
The 59-cent tax increase provided funding for a number of projects that already have been completed, the largest of which was the construction of a performing arts center attached to the high school. The building opened in 2022 and cost $14 million, including architectural, engineering and construction costs.