Marmaduke school to build safe room

The Marmaduke School District is moving forward with its goal of adding an emergency safe room to its campus.

The school began preparations immediately after the April 2006 tornado rocked the small community. The district applied for financial assistance on the project through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Now, as the three year anniversary of the tornado approaches, the small school has received approval for its request and plans to move forward with the project.

While architects currently are working on the plan for the new facility, some details already are set. The shelter will feature six-foot concrete walls and ceilings, supported by steel reinforcements. As such, the safe room will be able to withstand almost anything that comes its way.

The planned site for the construction of the safe room is directly behind the round building, currently serving as the core area for junior high classrooms and the cafeteria. This location is central to the rest of the campus, allowing for quick access by all grades. Officials believe it will take around five to 10 minutes for all students to reach and enter the safe room.

Initial plans call for the structure to hold approximately 900 people. It will serve not only the school, but also can be used as a community shelter during times when the school is closed.

"I definitely think we need a structure of that type in the community," said superintendent Tim Gardner. "Based on recent history, it's something I feel will come in handy. You hope for the best, but plan for the worst."

Three years ago, the total cost of the project was estimated at $733,000. At that price, FEMA agreed to fund 80 percent of the cost, while the state took care of 10 percent and the school covered the other 10 percent.

Now, however, the cost of the project has increased to around $955,000. The amounts paid by FEMA and the state are locked in at their original levels, so the school will be required to make up the estimated $220,000 difference.

"Everything over the initial cost is going to fall back on the district," Gardner said. "Neither the state nor FEMA can kick in any more money on the project."

Gardner said he currently is unsure of what, if any, additional assistance may be available to the school. He is hoping federal stimulus funds can be used on the project, despite current signs indicating otherwise.

"It's not totally ruled out, but it's not very likely, either," Gardner said.

Still, Gardner said the time to move forward is now.

"It took three years from the start of the application to get approved. We don't want to start over at this point because we feel this is something our school and our community needs."