Press

Savanna School administrators, community legends, and Oklahoma Representatives are touting the revolutionary 3D Printing technology building proposal set to go before voters on August 25.

“I just hope and pray that people understand, because we need it bad… the kids need it bad,” said Joe Brown of the proposal

Joe Brown is well known to Savanna residents as a cornerstone of the Savanna community. He coached at the school for 19 years before retiring from coaching in 1986, and later transitioning into administration as both the school's principal and superintendent. His enduring legacy is so profound that the school's basketball court bears his signature, and the Bulldogs' athletic jerseys feature his signature embroidered on the back.

The revamped Bond Proposal focuses on building new elementary classrooms and enhancing academic opportunities while preparing the district to meet the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s graduates. And even adds air-conditioning to the School’s Gymnasium for the first time ever.

“This one will give us more space, classrooms, offices and bathrooms, and comes in at less money” said Savanna Public Schools Superintendent Adam Newman.

“it’s been a long time coming and way overdue to make our community and patrons more comfortable and safe.”

He says that the district is dedicated to providing safe, innovative, and supportive learning environments for all students. “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.”

The proposal comes on the heels of multiple professionals opinions that the existing structure poses an actual threat to future Savanna students.

“In our professional opinion based on our observations the structure of the existing building has exceeded its design life span” said Nathan Cole Professional and Structural Engineer with Connect Structural Engineering.

“The degradation is severe and the necessary structural repairs will involve significant demolition and reconstruction. due to the age of the facility it should be expected to continue to rapidly decline creating ongoing structural issues as well as issues related to occupant comfort, convenience, serviceability and aesthetics.”

State of Oklahoma 93rd House District Representative Mickey Dollens, a legislative proponent of 3D Printing technology says that not only is the technology the wave of the future, but that “both FEMA and Emergency Responders are starting to use it.”

“We did a study on it and brought in Oklahoma State University” he said.

“OSU has their own proprietary plans for building barns and other Agricultural buildings. We’ve worked with engineers that have built homes that can withstand F4 tornados.”

Dr. Tyler Ley with Oklahoma State University Engineering and Technology, who had been part of the study, describes it as “great technology that is going to help a ton of people.” He touts labor savings, faster delivery and less waste as only part of the benefits that 3D printing offers.

According to Lee Simon Business Development representative Brady Deaton the proposal would represent the first 3D printed school in the United States, as well as adding more rooms, space and a higher strength rating than the first proposal.

“The entire school will be hurricane rated with 3 classrooms and bathroom area being engineered even stronger wind speeds” he said adding that the latter will be able to hold up to 400 students and staff.”

Savanna School Board Member Lee Skinner says that while voters rejected the initial bond proposal, the experience left everyone dedicated to finding a better way to move the school forward.

“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” he said.

Lee Simon’s 3D printing of buildings is a revolutionary building technique that is dramatically cheaper than traditional building methods, is much more energy efficient, as well as being much stronger and lasting longer than traditional builds.

Dollens, whose district includes Oklahoma City, says that the process won’t displace construction jobs.

“There’s still a demand for traditional build housing, as roofs are still being built with traditional lumber” he said. “3D can make it very accessible for electricians to pull wires or plumbers to access pipes. When it comes to innovative housing solutions it’s interesting to see the competition in the market and which will prevail. I’m very proud to be a part of this.”

For more information on the bond and the schools needs go to: http://savanna.jesites.com/

That future is on the ballot August 25! Voters can vote at 1609 N Strong Blvd Ste 200, McAlester, OK 74501 or at their traditional polling locations.

Local school administrators say they are excited about the building proposal set to go before voters on August 25. The plan responds to the district’s 1936 elementary building reaching the end of its useful life and positions Savanna to open the first 3D printed concrete school in the United States.

Superintendent Adam Newman has led the review of options and expresses strong confidence in the new design developed with architects at Lee Simon Design.

“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.”

The revised proposal delivers 11 classrooms (nine regular classrooms plus two dedicated special-education rooms), a secure main entry, modern restrooms, and air conditioning for the school gymnasium for the first time. It also includes a storm shelter accessible to students during school hours and to the broader community after hours.

“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 costs for the new building break down like this: a $5,450,000 Building Bonds which consists of $3,490,000 for construction costs and $1,960,000 interest for the life of the school bonds.

[Site annotation: financing composition; interest rate TBD — not published.]

Brady Deaton of Lee Simon Design noted that the updated schematic achieves more rooms, better flow, and stronger overall performance than the earlier proposal — while still reducing cost. The design takes advantage of advances in 3D concrete robotic printing, an approach the industry is using to deliver buildings faster, with less waste, greater resilience, and lower long-term operating costs.

“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 the earlier vote, while unsuccessful, made the condition of the existing elementary building clear to everyone. “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.

Plans also call for incorporating stone from the original 1936 building into the new façade.

“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.”

When the new elementary opens, Savanna’s youngest students will walk into modern classrooms, the community will have a real storm shelter, and the district will hold the distinction of opening the nation’s first 3D-printed concrete school — delivered with greater efficiency and long-term value.

That future is on the ballot August 25! Voters must be registered to vote by July 31st, registration can be done at the Pittsburg county election center, 1609 N Strong Blvd Ste 200, McAlester, OK 74501.