'A minor miracle twice a day'

Twenty minutes before the bell rings at Platte County R-3 School District’s main campus along Hwy. 92 in Platte City, a few dozen parents along with some early arriving buses wait Tuesday afternoon. About 1,600 students attend the campus.

by Dennis Sharkey
Landmark reporter

Platte County R-3 School District officials say the current system for dismissing students could be safer and less expensive.

Assistant Superintendent Rob Gardner presented a plan to the school board on Thursday that would change the bell times for all students. Currently, students who attend schools at the district's north campus in Platte City arrive at 7:40 a.m. and leave at 2:40. Students who attend the south campus at Barry arrive and depart an hour later.

The bell times are based on student geography rather than by grade level. For more on story.

Construction projects on
school’s horizon

by Dennis Sharkey
Landmark reporter

No construction projects in the Platte County R-3 School District are planned for 2010 but that will change in 2011.

The school board will hold a special meeting Feb. 11 to interview potential architects and project managers for the district's future construction needs.

Without a plan in hand, Superintendent Dr. Mike Reik, told The Landmark on Tuesday that he anticipates the need for a new elementary school in Platte City and an additional eight classrooms at Pathfinder School as top priorities.

However, the priority list could change, depending on whom the district selects to lead the efforts. He said the district will pursue a building plan that will include demographic studies of the entire district to analyze where the needs are.

Right now, Reik said he sees the need for increased elementary school capacity but that will be followed by needs at the middle school and high school levels as well. For more on story.