Springfield Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield will expand their partnership when the renovation and expansion of Williams Elementary is complete in August 2021. The new facility, one of seven major projects funded by Proposition S, will include dedicated space for before- and after-school programming. A portion of the construction costs will be funded by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield.
Renovation costs at Williams are expected to be $14.32 million. The facility will serve up to 350 K-5 students and 100 pre-K students. Improvements will include:
- Address accessibility and security challenges
- Safe room gymnasium
- Expanded space for pre-school mini-hub.
“Collaboration to meet the needs of our students is critically important in public education,” said Dr. John Jungmann, superintendent of Springfield Public Schools. “The Williams Elementary project is exciting for many reasons. A new, improved facility creates a more equitable and accessible learning environment. We will also have more room for an expansion of early childhood education and a robust partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs helps ensure that our students and families have the support they need to learn and grow.”
Boys & Girls Clubs has already begun a capital campaign to invest in the dedicated space. Similar in design to the Boys and Girls Clubs Sertoma Unit at Sherwood Elementary, the program will serve an anticipated 200 children daily. A Memorandum of Understanding is in development and will be presented to both the Board of Education and the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors for consideration and approval.
“This project is necessary, exciting and truly in line with our organization’s goals,” said Brandy Harris, chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. “By collaborating with Springfield Public Schools, we are able to more holistically serve children and their families. We are confident that this aligned partnership mutually benefits each entity.”