Photos and story by Kady Weddle
Martin City K-8 School Principal, Dr. Jennifer Harris, cut the ribbon to officially open the school’s newly renovated entry way on November 15. After five months of construction, the redesigned facilities include a conference room, several new offices, counselors’ suites, waiting area, and a more secure entry for students and outside guests.
“The biggest issue was the lack of secure entry,” said Harris. “We didn’t have any way of securing the entry way. When you came into the building you had to go down quite far even to get into the main office and you were just out in the open.”
The updated security features include a lock system and buzzer. Not only do guests have to be buzzed into the main doors, but they also then have to be buzzed into a second door to the main office.
“It’s been a long time coming for this entrance,” said Grandview School District Superintendent Kenny Rodriguez. “This is my 6th year as superintendent, and I don’t think there’s been one year that we haven’t had a conversation about the need for this to be done.”
The Martin City K-8 band kicked off the ribbon cutting event with a performance of the National Anthem, followed by a welcome from the Grandview District’s School Board President Monica Terry. Terry thanked the staff, board and local contractors involved including Hollis + Miller Architects, Stroud Construction, DH Pace, and Interior Landscapes.
The ribbon cutting was followed by a self-guided tour of the new space as well as refreshments.
This seems only the beginning for Martin City K-8 School.
Following a $45 million bond that was recently approved in April, items on the ‘wish list’ for future improvements include a new gym and fine arts center for Martin City, as well as renovating all the building’s restrooms.
“Continue to invest in our schools. Continue to approve our bond projects,” concluded Rodriguez. “What we really want to do is change the face of our school district and what you see as community members… as staff members… and as students.”
No dates for future improvements have been established at this time.