The Webb City School District gets the green light from FEMA along with $6 million in funds to build at least three tornado safe rooms, including one that will be open to the public.
The largest shelter will be placed on the high school's campus next to the stadium and will cost about $3 million. It will hold up to 3,000 students and community members.
Smaller shelters will be built for students at Harry S. and Bess Truman Elementary and most likely near Webster Elementary.
The district has nine months to design the projects and expects them to be completed in the next 18 months.
"At the high school I can tell you that there are on the table, FEMA will pay for the shell, of this building so to speak, but how we use it for educational purposes gives up some leeway, so we could have it be more than just be a box," says Dr. Anthony Rossetti, the superintendent of the Webb City School District.
Ideas for safe rooms include a cafeteria or a space for future classrooms that include reinforced walls.
The district could receive as much as $9 million if two additional safe rooms also under consideration are approved.
The district's share of the costs would total a little more than $2 million.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KOAM. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
