On Monday, May 23, the Kirkwood School District officially broke ground on construction for an addition at Westchester Elementary School. 

Superintendent David Ulrich, members of the Board of Education and community supporters marked the start of the project. Students also participated in the events   

Construction will result in 8 additional grade level classrooms, a new library/media center, expansion of the cafeteria. It will also include conversions of existing spaces into areas for personalized learning including academic intervention space. This is in addition to Phase I of construction, which was completed this Spring and included a new art and music classroom.

“The projects we are officially starting today will ensure we can achieve our mission for all students at Tillman and Westchester – to be engaged, empowered, and ready for success,” said Dr. Ulrich. “As we begin this construction work, we want to thank our teachers, staff, families and students in advance for your flexibility in working with us to accommodate these projects.”  

These projects are some of many made possible thanks to the community’s support of Prop R, which was approved by voters last year. Funds generated from Prop R will provide additional classrooms, security upgrades and accessibility improvements at schools in the Kirkwood School District to address overcrowding.

Recently completed Prop R projects include HVAC improvements throughout the District, new ADA entrances at North Glendale and Robinson elementary schools, a new secure entrance on the Essex side of Kirkwood High School and at North Glendale and a two-classroom addition at Westchester Elementary School. Additionally, this summer, the District is set to complete interior renovations at Keysor, Robinson and North Glendale elementary schools and Kirkwood Early Childhood Center.