Work to begin soon on Kinsley schools

The Kinsley-Offerle school district will move forward with improvements after voters in Edwards County approve a bond issue.

The $5.9 million dollar project includes a new gym, more parking and more classrooms at Kinsley High School and Kinsley Middle School. The new gym will also be a community storm shelter. District officials say the improvements are necessary.

"We really haven't had a lot of new things come in, and if you look at our neighbors from the south and east of us, they have all approved bond issues or had a new school built," said superintendent Bob Davies. "You don't want to keep up with the Jones', but we at least need to bring people into our community".

Students say they also are looking forward to the new additions.

"It will feel great just knowing that we will have this facility and it will also open up the community to hold tournaments here, which we can't really do right now because we aren't in regulation," said Brittney Gleason.

Construction on the additions are expected to begin soon. It will take about a year-and-a-half to finish.