Cape Schools look to upgrade Franklin Elementary.

After last week’s Facilities Steering Committee meeting, Cape Girardeau Schools are on their way to renovating and possibly even rebuilding Franklin Elementary. District Administrative Services Director Neal Glass says the committee of parents, teachers and administrators started meeting in February to set the pace for renovations throughout the district. Their input combined with three community forums held in March, have given them an idea of what they need to do to make all their campuses an excellent place to learn. The first architectural plans were presented to the board Thursday by local architect Phillip Smith. Glass tells KZIM/KSIM each building went through a vigorous process before initial plans were drawn that includes an evaluation of ADA standards, structural and growth needs. Glass says they’ll start with major changes to the 81-year-old Franklin Elementary, the oldest of the district’s five elementary schools then work to make any needed improvements to all of their buildings. Some ideas for Franklin include a $4.6 million two-story addition that would house several classrooms and a cafeteria with kitchen. That portion added to the cost of sprucing up the existing structure would settle at about $8.5 million. Ideas are also being tossed around about building an entirely new school at that location. Those decisions will be finalized sometime in August.