ADVANCE OPENS NEW SCHOOL

ADVANCE -- The floors are so clean in the new Advance High School that sneakers squeak.

The smell of fresh paint hangs in the air, and boxes are still being unpacked. But students and teachers moved in last week to a new building for grades sixth through 12.

On Friday, Nov. 14, classes were held at the old building. On Tuesday, students and teachers were in the new building.

The old high school building, constructed in 1924, was worn out, explained Superintendent Jerry D. Robison. It wasn't designed for modern teaching techniques or computer labs, he said.

When planning began for the new building, the high school and elementary principal met to decide what approach might be best.

The district owns 20 acres, and the elementary school was already at that site.

The principals suggested a kindergarten through high school campus might best serve the school district. The school board and voters agreed.

The new building is attached to the elementary school. All students may use the new gymnasium, library and media center. However, elementary students and high school students are separated.

The building is air conditioned. Computer stations were planned for the library and for business and computer classes. Both high school and elementary students will have access to the Internet. New science labs have the latest equipment, and about half of the student desks are new.

Robison said the three-day move was possible because staff, students and parents pitched in.

Teachers were responsible for moving their own teaching stations, he said. The goal was that teachers would then be able to find their supplies and begin instruction quickly.

Students stayed after school to help transfer items six blocks to the new building. Parents volunteered pick-up trucks and trailers over the weekend to move desks, chairs and other items.

School was canceled Monday to regroup after the move, but classes resumed Tuesday.

The new building was in planning for more than two years, and its funding package is multi-faceted.

In June 1996, voters approved a bond issue for $1.2 million.

In addition, the school district had raised its operating levy to $2.75 as part of Senate Bill 380. Money that tax increase generated was put toward lease-purchase loans for construction.

A new support group called Advance R-IV Public School Foundation raised $250,000 for the project.

In addition, the district used about $300,000 in existing school balances.

Advance schools have 535 students. The city has a population of 12,000. Robison said he's proud of the work done by the small community to get the building built. Plans exist to expand the school complex if the need arises.

An open house for the school will be planned in the near future, Robison said.