Geary USD 475 said this week that the federal Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation has agreed with a district concept plan to expand the current grade school project under construction. It was initially intended to replace the former Jefferson Elementary School, but with a proposed expansion of student capacity the new school would increase from 390 to more than 500 while meeting needs of nearby housing areas previously served by both Jefferson and Morris Hill Elementary Schools.
"This will allow the district to raze Morris Hill, expand the current project, and reduce overhead expenditures at 20 percent of the cost of a replacement school. It's a solution that is good for the District, Army families, taxpayers and OLDCC," said David Wild, USD 475 Chief Operations Officer.
As a result of recent meetings in Virginia attended by USD 475 and Fort Riley representatives, OLDCC will invite the District to submit an expansion project matching grant application. If approved the federal government would provide 80 percent of the funds needed for the expansion. The school district is currently holding sufficient funds to cover its share of the initiative. Construction of the expansion portion of the new school will continue after the school opens in the summer of 2023.
Morris Hill Elementary was cited in a 2018 Department of Defense schools audit as being at the end of its functional life. The school was built in 1957.