Eisenhower School Opens in Abilene, Kansas
After 62 years, Abilene students moved into a new school
named after a U.S. President from Abilene, and the most prominent world leader
from Kansas. Eisenhower Elementary School opened it doors for the first time to
students this past week.
Why has it taken so long to name a school after one of Abilene's prominent historical figures? After
talking to longtime community residents, it seems to be steeped in community
politics and conspiracy. For anyone to get to the real answer, one must ask past living members
of the school board and legacy family members of the community. But finally after five decades, members of
the Abilene community that lobbied for a school named after President Dwight D.
Eisenhower got their wish.
According to other news articles, Denise Guy, Abilene School
District Superintendent, stated that this new building was “a great opportunity to
name it after Dwight D. Eisenhower.”
So what is the price of building a new school for a town of
about 6,700 residents? The new building is 28,000 square feet and cost $7.4
million to build, that is about
$1,104 for each resident. This
one project is part of a larger $24 million bond approved by Abilene voters
2 to 1 in 2014. That is $118 for every $100,000 in residential property
value.
Further school improvements are on the horizon for Abilene. This $24.2 million improvement package
includes new security measures, high school building improvements and a new auditorium, and new space to
the middle school.
What about the old space?
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