GARNETT — The new Garnett Elementary opened its doors in August. The outside alone is a wow factor, but as principal Krista Hedrick said, “it is all in the details.” THE SEPARATE pods feature was one aspect of the school that Stacey Fager, Iola High School principal, found appealing.
USD 257 Facilities Planning Committee, community members and staff went to Garnett Wednesday evening to tour the new attendance center.
This was the fourth planning meeting of the year. Committee members are considering action plans for the future of USD 257 schools.
At the end of August, committee members took a look at Chanute’s new elementary school. By touring newly built schools, they can get an idea of what they would recommend if a new school was proposed in Iola.
Garnett Elementary School, built by Nabholz Construction Services, sits on 35.5 acres and cost about $11.5 million. The building is a mix of red glazed brick, meant to increase visibility, and two types of metal — one more expensive than the other.
“The visibility is a key element,” USD 257 Superintendent of Schools Brian Pekarek said. “It gives the community a sense of pride.”
Only one door is unlocked during the day and parents must first go to the central office after entering the school.
Student security was on the top of Pekarek’s list of positive qualities. Parents and guests have to go through
“The safety and security of our students is most important,” Pekarek said. “I like that there is only one access point, one entrance and exit.”
The most unique feature of the elementary is its space utilization. The school is divided into three pods and attached is the kindergarten school.
The pods are divided up by grades and are color coded – purple, blue and green. Within each pod there are classrooms, a restroom, a commons area and an outdoor classroom.
The rooms have only identifying numbers and not each teacher’s names.
“Some teachers still wanted to put their names in the windows. That’s OK, they aren’t permanent so they can always be taken down,” Hedrick said.
The pods also have partial epoxy flooring, usually found in the cafeteria, so if classes have projects with paint or anything messy, it will not be a problem.
At the front of the school is the library, but unlike Iola schools there are only two computers in the library. There is a separate room for technology.
When the school is not in use, community groups are encouraged to use it. Wednesday, local Girl Scouts were having their meeting.
“We have a janitor here until 7 o’clock, but if a group needs to stay longer we adjust our schedule,” Hedrick said.
An architectural feature am absence of flat roofs.
“Our community said absolutely no flat roofs,” Hedrick said.
According to Hedrick, in the ’90s a new high school was built in Garnett with a flat roof and within a couple of years it was causing problems, which left a sour taste in mouths of patrons.
Flat roofs do cause water to accumulate; that problem is avoided with slanted roofs — water slides off quickly.
A trail was built for students who walk home so they have a safe route to travel. The trail also meets up with the Prairie Spirit Trail that runs to Iola.
“The location of this school is wonderful,” Hedrick said. “It is close to the stadium, it is close to the trail and it’s not too far from downtown for parades.”
Fager said it is nice for the kids because they don’t have to eat breakfast in the gym — the only place they can all fit.
Also, the pods are designed to give the students a sense of community.
Pekarek found the idea of pods to be efficient.
Iolans get first-hand look at new Garnett school
