Rock Port R-II School Board held a ribbon cutting during the Rock Port vs. East Atchison volleyball match. Pictured above, from left to right, are: Reven Herron, Jared Meyerkorth, Dr. Rex Bollinger, Donnie Parsons, Regan Griffin, Kayla Sierks, Joanna Burke, Sage Acorn, Afton Schomburg, Chris Horn, Dr. Steve Waigand, and Ken Eaton.

Rock Port R-II School Board officially recognized the major completion of the construction project that replaced the old dome in a ceremony Thursday, September 12.

In the spring of 2023, the patrons of Rock Port R-II approved a $6.5 million dollar bond issue to demolish and replace the dome. No taxes were raised from the passage of the bond issue. The scope of the construction project was to build five new classrooms which include two new science rooms, one business room, one STEM room, and one art room. Additionally, a new library/media center was included in the project. Also included were two new locker rooms, new restrooms, new technology spaces, plenty of storage and a new concession stand area directly outside the west side of the gym.

Veregy Construction was the company selected by the Rock Port R-II Board of Education to build the project. Along with the building project several other areas were addressed which included flooring at the elementary (special education room, kindergarten room, office, counselor’s and another classroom), remodeled areas for the new nurse’s office and teachers’ lounge, repaired and tuck-pointed in the cafeteria, high school roof repair, air conditioning replacement in the band room and the remodeling of two classrooms in the high school.

Although this project has had its challenges with the damage to the gymnasium last year, it has all worked out and has culminated in a successful completion of the project and students and staff have moved into and are utilizing the new spaces.

Representing the Board of Education at the ceremony were: Regan Griffin, board president; Reven Herron, vice-president; Afton Schomburg, treasurer; and Joanna Burke, Kayla Sierks, Troy Cook, and Jared Meyerkorth, board members. Administration present included Dr. Rex Bollinger, Superintendent; Mr. Donnie Parsons, High School Principal; and Dr. Steve Waigand, Elementary School Principal. Veregy representatives present were Sage Acorn, Chris Horn, and Ken Eaton.

The audience celebrated the completion of the project with a round of applause as the ribbon was cut, signifying major completion to the project.