FUTURE READY SCHOOLS
Ladue School District to undertake sweeping building rennovations RYAN TUNG
respectively. All three will feature
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classrooms to account for larger student enrollment, utility updates to
news editor
t the front of Spoede Elementary School, a door stands guard. Years of pelting sunlight and thousands of curious hands have tanned its surface and weathered its once silver handle.
additions of “safe rooms” for severe weather incidents, compliance with and more. In addition to enhancing the learning environment, renovations aim to repair infrastructural issues of the rapidly aging facilities. In
glass window and its tired hinges sigh a heavy clunk when closed. Since 1949, the door has watched generations arrive as children, depart
On April 6, district residents voted to pass Proposition L, a $126 million
of the 2020-21 school year, Prop L will transform these facilities from 20th century classrooms into “Future Ready Schools.”
FACILITY NEEDS 5 additional core classrooms 20% larger classrooms 60% larger cafeteria Student commons space Dedicated SSD classrooms Expanded hallways hope to achieve a higher standard of education overall. “I did support and vote for Prop
environment. However, to avoid serious disruptions, construction will occur in phases — allowing classes
and operational aspects of the District.” Ladue Middle School, Spoede
three elementary and middle school safety improvements were important to me in order to support our
the need for expensive temporary classrooms. With these short term
the largest updates, receiving $50, $34 and $28 million renovations
p
SPOEDE ELEMENTARY E X T E R I O R
FACILITY NEEDS
NEWS
LADUE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Renovations are set to commence in the summer of 2021 and conclude in the fall of 2023. In the meantime, learning will take yet another large
improvements outlined are needed,” District Director of Facilities Mike Noonan said. “[Prop L] will result in
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A F T E R
power restored. “When conditions like [the pipe failure] result in a disruption to school, we need to consider solutions
sweeping renovations to the four district elementary schools and Ladue
Source: Future Ready Schools
LIBRARY
Elementary lost power following a drainpipe failure over a main
end of the 2020-21 school year, its
6 additional core classrooms Updated classroom lighting Expanded hallways Additional restrooms Leaking roof replacement
B E F O R E
B E F O R E
Photos by Ginger Schulte
A F T E R
Images courtesy of Susan Downing
SPREAD DESIGN BY RYAN TUNG | KIRAN VARADACHARI
