The Keokuk School Board approved bids at the March 25 meeting to update to age-appropriate playground equipment and add green space to the outside of George Washington Elementary. The updates are in preparation for the move of kindergarten and first grade to GW and fourth and fifth grades to Hawthorne Elementary.
“The playground vendor came down and walked the space and it is exciting that the original apparatus will be able to remain in place with just some age appropriate modifications,” Dr. Kathy Dinger, KCSD superintendent, said.
The Keokuk Community School District met with vendors to create a plan to convert the existing playground equipment and add a side-by-side slide, tot rock climber, critter puzzle panel and more, as well as remove the asphalt lot, clear the area, level with dirt and seed the area for grass.
“We are very excited to be able to make these improvements to offer a safe, fun outdoor learning space,” Meghan Davis, 2023-24 Hawthorne and Torrence principal and 2024-25 GW and Torrence principal, said. “The staff is looking forward to more of a family atmosphere for our littlest chiefs.”
The move was decided to address space limitations at GW and was announced at the Feb. 5 board meeting. The reconfiguration will help the district maximize the space that is available, but will not increase taxes. A staff committee continues to work on the planned moves to make it a smooth transition.
