Ryan Cuts Ribbon for New K-3 School in Mt. Vernon

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. George H. Ryan today cut the ribbon for the new Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 Primary Center. Classes will start tomorrow at the Primary Center, which will house 42 classrooms with a capacity for 800 students.

"This is an elementary school to be proud of, one that demonstrates the state and local community's joint commitment to the education of our children," Gov. Ryan said. "A lot of thought and consideration for our children and for their learning environment has gone into this building, and I hope that this school will serve as a model that other districts will emulate."

The Mt. Vernon City School District 80, received a state school construction grant in June 1999. The state share was $5.8 million with the local share being $1.9 million.

With the construction of the new K-3 elementary Primary Center, the district was able to reorganize into four attendance centers: the Benjamin Franklin Early Childhood Center, the Mount Vernon City Schools District Primary Center for Kindergarten through 3rd grade students, the J.L. Buford Intermediate Center for 4th and 5th grade students, and the Zadock Casey Middle School campus for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.