Lindbergh District Forced to Drop Summer School, Grades 6-8

Construction on middle schools and an anticipated loss of state funding has forced Lindbergh School District to cancel summer school programs for middle school students, according to district officials.

Pre-K ages, elementary and high school students will still have summer programs at Lindbergh's Early Childhood Education center, Sappington Elementary and Lindbergh High School.

Summer programs geared toward middle school students was dealt a one-two punch over state funding and the district's scheduled interior renovation of the district's two middle schools by August.

"We have not received confirmation yet about whether state funding for summer school will be cut, but we have heard that is a definite possibility," according to an email from Beth Cross, Lindbergh district communications director. Cross said several other school districts may be taking similar steps to curb costs, "to make sure we stay within our district budget."

In the Lindbergh district, Truman Elementary will re-open as a middle school in August. Sperreng Middle School will then serve only half as many students, which would also require some rehab for better use of space.

All the construction is part of a $31 million bond issue approved by voters as Proposition R in 2008, to upgrade the district's physical facilities and relieve crowding—keeping class sizes optimum.

Additionally, the district will re-open Concord as an elementary school in August, for a total of five elementary schools and two middle schools. The state has ranked Lindbergh a top district.

Local officials said the district has not fielded any requests from parents searching for alternative summer school programs, but will do their best to assist requests.

In January, the district opened the Early Childhood Education center, having used Prop R funding for construction.

A rainy April slowed exterior work at schools throughout the district, officials said Tuesday, but plans are full steam ahead for the coming months. Current work includes: 

•  remodeling of Concord Elementary, 
• prep work was completed outside the Early Childhood Education building with additional playground equipment expected to be installed soon, 
• concrete and grading work continues at Crestwood Elementary, 
• masonry and drywall work has been completed at Long Elementary,
• the upcoming installation of discus pads at Lindbergh High School, and
• the demolition of a house on Adams Lane near Sperreng Middle School. 

In other news, the Lindbergh Board of Education gave accolades on Tuesday to numerous students for their academic prowess—including several LHS senior scholars awarded scholarships post-LHS study.

Kristi Tanaka is one of 1,500 students nationwide to earn an appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The honor was earned through nine teacher recommends, nominations from Rep. Todd Akin and Sen. Kit Bond, and a long list of academic and athletic accomplishments during her time at LHS.

Robert Patzius bested 90 competitors for a full college scholarship valued at $11,900 in the annual high school welding competition on Jan. 29 at the Missouri Welding Institute.

Kyle Horstman was selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Carondelet Sunday Morning Athletic Club.

Sophia Meyer has earned the Erin's WINGS Scholarship Award sponsored in honor of Erin Mace, a former LHS student.

The board also gave special kudos to students at Truman Elementary School for raising more than $2,400 for families at the school who were victims of the New Year's Eve tornado, and Truman third-grader Sam Hunter for raising more than $700 during a fundraising walk on his birthday, for the Japan Earthquake Fund.

The Board's next series of meetings in June will be about the budget for the coming school year.