Collinsville Public Schools begin new academic year, continues expansion

COLLINSVILLE, Okla. — Several districts headed back to school Thursday morning, including students and staff in Collinsville.

Senior Trent Stogsdill told FOX23, “I’m feeling great, honestly years flew by, I can’t believe I’m already a senior.”

The hallways of Collinsville Public Schools were flooded with nervous and excited kids for the first day back in class. While the start of the school brings new changes for students. the district is also in the process of expanding.

Superintendent Jeremy Hogan said the early childhood center, upper elementary and high school are all under construction paid for by $13 million in taxpayer dollars passed in a bond vote last year. Some projects will finish by December while others will take years.

Video: Building construction at Collinsville schools will add space for more students

A bulk of the work is adding more classrooms for what Hogan explained is a rapidly growing number of students in the city. “With all the homes being built we’re developing some long range plans as it pertains to capital improvement because we have to plan for around 1,300 kids over the next five years, that’s what our expected growth is,” he told FOX23.

Parents and students can also expect road construction in front of the high school along Highway 20. Hogan advised students, staff and families to be patient, and allow for extra time on the way into school.

The superintendent said the district is still taking precautions against COVID-19 like constantly cleaning high touch surfaces, but this year will feel very normal. He said, “this year is our first year we’re kind of back open to volunteers and visitors and you’ll see parents in our school buildings even more than they have been the past few years.”

While most students started Thursday, pre-K students start Monday in a half-day and also new full-day program.