TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Topeka school district has unveiled the first of 11 emergency shelters that are being constructed with money from a bond issue.
Whitson Elementary had a celebration Wednesday for the new gymnasium, where students can take shelter during extreme weather, The Topeka Capital-Journal (https://bit.ly/1qvzaBM) reported. In past years, students would have sought shelter in the hallways of their school.
Whitson Elementary principal Keelin Pierce said she hopes her school will never need to use the gym as shelter, but knowing it is there offers peace of mind.
“Now, we have such a safe facility should there be an event,” Pierce said. “To be able to use it now as a gym is also very exciting, but the No. 1 thing was the safety of our students.”
The new shelters are being built using Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines for storm protection. In April 2014, voters approved $143 million in bonds to pay for projects that included school safety improvements, Chromebook purchases and a new career center.
At Whitson, the gym can accommodate up to 800 people and has a backup generator in case of power outages during a storm.
“It looked like a high school basketball court where championship people play,” said Lily Opgaard, 10, after returning to her classroom following the celebration. And the fact that it doubles as protection against strong winds? “I thought that was pretty amazing.”
___
Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, https://www.cjonline.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.