Savanna Public Schools is asking voters to approve a bond proposal that could place the district at the forefront of educational construction in the United States. If approved in the August 25 election, the project would replace the district’s aging elementary school with what officials say will be the first 3D-printed concrete school building in the nation.
The proposal comes as district leaders seek to replace the current elementary school, which was built in 1936 and is nearing the end of its useful life. School officials say the redesigned facility would provide modern learning spaces, improved security, and enhanced community services while reducing overall project costs compared with an earlier proposal.
Superintendent Adam Newman, who has led the review of replacement options, said the updated design created in partnership with Lee Simon Design offers more space and better amenities while remaining financially efficient.
“This one will give us more space, classrooms, offices and bathrooms, and comes in at less money,” Newman said. “It’s been a long time coming and way overdue to make our community and patrons more comfortable and safe.”
Under the revised plan, the new elementary school would feature 11 classrooms, including nine standard classrooms and two dedicated special-education rooms. The design also includes a secure main entrance, upgraded restroom facilities, and air conditioning for the school gymnasium, marking the first time the space would be climate controlled.
A key feature of the project is the addition of a storm shelter designed to protect both students and the wider community during severe weather events. District leaders said the shelter would be available to students during school hours and accessible to residents after hours through coordination with local law enforcement.
“The designs include storm shelters that will be accessible to students and the public during school hours as well as to the community after-hours,” Newman said. “We’ve been working with the Police Department on having officers authorized to open the school after hours in the event of a tornado or inclement weather.”
According to Newman, the proposal includes a $5,450,000 Building Bonds package. The funding consists of $3,490,000 for construction costs and $1,960,000 in interest over the life of the school bonds.
The redesigned project was developed by Lee Simon Design, which incorporated advances in 3D concrete robotic printing technology. The construction method is increasingly being adopted across the industry because it can reduce material waste, improve construction efficiency, strengthen building resilience, and lower long-term operating costs.
Brady Deaton of Lee Simon Design said the updated plans improve upon the district’s previous proposal by delivering additional classrooms, enhanced security features, and greater functionality while reducing the project’s overall cost.
“What we were able to achieve is more classrooms, a true secure entry, and a storm-shelter zone that serves both the school and the wider community — all while coming in under the previous proposal’s cost,” Deaton said.
School Board Member Lee Skinner said an earlier unsuccessful bond proposal helped bring greater public attention to the condition of the district’s existing elementary school, paving the way for a revised plan.
“We’ve already opened everyone’s eyes as to how bad a shape the elementary school is in, so now we are saying ‘here’s another option,’” Skinner said.
The proposal also seeks to preserve part of the district’s history by incorporating stone from the original 1936 elementary school into the exterior of the new building. District officials say the feature reflects a commitment to honoring the community’s past while investing in its future.
“We even have plans to incorporate some of the stone from the original building as part of the new façade,” Newman said. “So we have an eye on where we’ve come from as well as where we are going. We are very excited about this new proposal.”
If approved, the project would provide students with updated educational facilities, expanded classroom capacity, improved campus security, and access to a dedicated storm shelter. District leaders also believe the development would establish Savanna Public Schools as the first district in the United States to open a 3D-printed concrete school building, showcasing an innovative approach to educational infrastructure.
The bond proposal will be decided by voters on August 25. Residents wishing to participate in the election must be registered to vote by July 31.
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