In response to overcrowding at Charter Oak Elementary, Guthrie Public Schools has added two portable classrooms as a temporary solution to accommodate the growing student population.
One of the significant summer projects for Guthrie Public Schools has been the addition of two portable classrooms at Charter Oak Elementary to address the issue of overcrowding. Late last week, one portable classroom was moved from the Upper Elementary, and another is expected to be acquired soon for placement at Charter Oak. This initiative comes in response to the school’s inability to accommodate its growing number of students.
Originally designed to allow for additional classrooms as funding became available, Charter Oak Elementary is now seeing the fruits of that foresight. The same expandable design applies to the new Cotteral Elementary building, which will open with a capacity for 200 additional students, necessitating a re-districting of attendance zones to balance enrollment across the district.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson acknowledged the unexpected rapid growth. “I know it seems crazy that we are out of room, but it is a fact. Charter Oak will turn seven years old this year and has around 100 more students than when it opened. We have over 900 homes platted inside the city limits alone, some of which are already built with students in them!” Dr. Simpson remarked.
The district concluded the last school year at 87.7% capacity, with Cotteral Elementary exceeding 100% and Charter Oak at 94%. The addition of portable classrooms is a temporary measure to manage the immediate need for space until the new Cotteral building and other expansions can be completed. The upcoming bond election will propose six additional classrooms for Charter Oak, four for Cotteral, and the construction of a new elementary school, to be built as financing permits.
Given the current housing growth within the school district, addressing these needs is critical. In response to social media inquiries about why the schools were not built larger initially, Dr. Simpson explained, “We utilized the funds which were available and delivered what was promised on time with the money approved by the voters. As a frame of reference, Charter Oak has almost 100 more students in the building now than when it opened six years ago.” The majority of the community understands the situation and supports the necessary expansions.
More detailed information about the upcoming August 27th bond election will be shared soon.
Be the first to comment on "GPS adds portable classrooms at Charter Oak Elementary due to overcrowding; election upcoming to address capacity"