WATCH: School Officials, Students Break Ground on New Jasper Elementary School

By: David Shepherd, Director of News and Public Information

JASPER -- A new combined elementary school is Jasper is closer to reality today.  A groundbreaking Monday morning officially kicking off construction of the new multi-million dollar project.

Officials turning dirt to mark the official start of construction and then some elementary-school kids got their turn.

 "Education is a focal point in all communities.  It's a priority for us," says superintendent Dr. Tracy Lorey.  "I think the individuals who are here today share the same commitment to ensuring that we have educational facilities that are safe, that are flexible, that are efficient, and that will really be able to prepare our students for what happens next in their future." 

 The new combined elementary school will be built on the land adjacent to the current middle school.

 It will combine students from both Fifth Street and Tenth Street Elementary Schools.

 The price tag is around $31 million dollars.  Officials stress that’s being paid for without adding a major tax on residents of Jasper.