The Wright City R-II School District’s new high school is still on track to be completed in October of 2024. 

The district recently held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Roelker Road site. They were joined by school district, city and county officials, construction personnel and other select community members. 

Wright City R-II School Board President Austin Jones stressed the work that went into making the project happen, which will provide a new high school on Roelker Road, a four-room addition at East Elementary, expanding early childhood and repurposing a portion of the existing high school to handle administrative and information technology functions. 

He also stressed the project needed the cooperation of the city, county, state, fire, police and school district officials. 

“To those other political subdivisions and utility companies, thank you for your cooperation,” Jones said. “The Wright City School District needs your cooperation and willingness to work through the issues now and in the future.”

Wright City district personnel recognized the contribution of American Foods Group, also known as America’s Heartland. Earlier this year, the company pledged $2 million to the Wright City R-II School District to help with construction of a football stadium at the new high school. The funds will help construct locker rooms and a concession stand at the football stadium site. 

“America’s Heartland has decided to make a major investment in building this new high school,” Jones said. “On behalf of the Wright City R-II school district, allow me to express a big, big thank you. Our goal is to educate all kids to help them become contributing members to society. I am extremely confident in the return on America Heartland’s investment that will ultimately exceed its wildest expectations and imaginations.”

Wright City School District voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 1967 and Proposition 2025. Proposition 1967 allowed the district to issue $37 million in bond debt, with no tax increase to voters. Proposition 2025 allowed the district to generate $15 million in additional funding, also with no tax increase. 

“I would like to thank the community at large,” Jones said. “Both Propositions 1967 and 2025 passed with overwhelming majority. All of us pay taxes and we just want to thank you for your trust. Words cannot describe how thankful the Wright City R-II Board of Education and school district are.”

Wright City Superintendent Dr. Chris Berger confirmed earlier this week the project is still on schedule to be completed by October 2024. The district anticipates occupying the new school in January 2025. Berger said construction crews are currently doing cleaning and grading. They may pour footings as soon as next week. 

“They actually got the grade cut as of last week,” Berger said. “Then they’ll come back and put fill into that to make it more solid. They think we’ll actually see potentially pouring of some footings as early as next week.”