VBSD holds “Topping out” ceremony at new elementary school

District and community leaders were on-hand Tuesday for the “topping out” of the new elementary school in north Van Buren. Officials celebrated the ceremonious placing of the roof structure, signifying an important milestone in the new building’s construction.

The first new campus to be built in nearly a decade, Oliver Springs Elementary School will help accommodate continued growth in the northern part of the city. The nearly 60,000 square foot structure will have two levels. Lower grades will be housed on the ground floor, while classrooms for the upper grades will be on the second story.

VBSD broke ground on the property earlier this year and soon began the long process of readying the site for construction. “The whole project is really starting to take shape,” said VBSD Maintenance Director, Danny Spears. Over the last few months, crews poured the concrete pads for the foundation and erected the steel structure for the building. “Weather permitting, we will start with more the mechanical parts of the build shortly, including wiring and plumbing.”

Land for the campus was generously donated in 2017 by Dr. William and Sharlene Gaither of Richardson, Texas. The property was a part of Gaither’s family for several generations. In addition to the 11 acres donated to the district, VBSD purchased ten more acres to complete the 21-acre campus on Northridge Drive.

VBSD plans to officially open Oliver Springs in 2020, with classes to be held beginning that August.

In addition to the new school, the District is also in the final phases of construction on the track concession stand at Van Buren High School. Maintenance crews have been putting on the roof structure with a goal to finish the project in the coming weeks. “We are aiming to have everything ready for track season which begins in February,” said Spears.