When voters approved a $1.9 million bond for USD 225's multipurpose building back in November of 2008, no one anticipated an extra year's wait. After all, Fowler had already gotten a good deal on the cost of construction, because school board members had chosen a monolithic dome, which are much cheaper to build than traditional structures. And domes are also extremely energy-efficient, costing about half the national average to heat and cool.
But Fowler officials had a hunch that they could save even more money by waiting for a certain federal agency to make a certain grant decision. USD 225 board members thought the wait was worth it, and decided to delay construction.
On Tuesday, USD 225's patience paid off — to the tune of over $345,000. That's what the federal government just agreed to contribute to construction costs, and it's what has put Fowler's dome school back on the map.
That, and the fact that Fowler's school will be the first in the state of Kansas housed in a monolithic dome, may account for a string of educators making the trek to campus when the building opens in December of 2010.
For the full story, go to dodgecitydailyglobe.ks.newsmemory.com.
