Cracks, Curtain Walls, and a Big Decision: Inside the McCook School Bond Tour

McCook, Neb. - McCook Public Schools (MPS) officials are urging residents to see the junior high for themselves before voting in the upcoming August 12 mail-in bond election. During a public tour Tuesday, school leaders outlined structural concerns, safety risks, and space limitations they say cannot be solved with repairs alone.

What the Tour Revealed

Superintendent Grant Norgaard, Junior High Principal Chad Lyons, High School Principal Craig Dickes, and Business Manager Jeff Gross guided attendees through the building, highlighting several issues:

• Structural Damage – Engineers have installed heavy steel supports to stop further settling in some areas. Floors tilt noticeably in several hallways, and one column had a gap of nearly two inches before being reinforced.

• Water and Sewer Problems – Shifting pipes have bent or broken, leaving some sinks and drinking fountains unusable. “We had to cap the lines or we’d be flooded,” Lyons said.

• Classroom Design Limitations –

  
  

  • Several rooms are divided only by curtain walls, making it easy to hear nearby classes. One classroom has curtain walls on two sides.

  • Some classrooms can only be reached by walking through other classrooms, causing disruptions.

  • Many rooms lack outside windows and built-in storage; teachers rely on portable cabinets.

  • Lyons noted that adding drywall and remodeling multiple rooms would be costly and beyond what the district’s maintenance staff could do themselves.

  
  

• Safety Risks – Students cross outside between the junior high and high school multiple times a day, including in ice and snow. The junior high currently has 12 entry points, which officials say makes security harder to manage. The proposed design would reduce that to one secure main entrance, though high school entry points would remain unchanged.

• Outdated Shop Facilities – Industrial arts classes are overcrowded, with teachers sometimes running three classes in one period due to limited space. “These are our most popular classes, and we can’t meet demand,” Gross said.

Why Not Just Repair It?

Norgaard said even major repairs would be a short-term solution.

“We could tear this section down and rebuild it for about $30 million, but engineers say the rest of the building will only last another 20 to 25 years. We’d be starting over again in 20 years, and that makes no sense.”

What the New Bond Would Do

The $42 million bond would:

✅ Replace most of the junior high with a new building connected to the high school, eliminating outdoor passing periods.

✅ Add updated shop and agricultural classrooms, a commons area, and a lunchroom.

✅ Redesign parking and bus lanes for safer traffic flow.

✅ Retain and remodel the gym, office space, and locker rooms.

The new building would also include elevators for ADA accessibility and reconfigured locker rooms to meet Title IX requirements.

Community Reactions at the Tour

No one at Tuesday’s tour voiced opposition.

One attendee, who described herself as living on a fixed income, said she still supports the bond:

“When my kids were in school, other people helped us. Now it’s my turn to help someone else’s kids.”

Norgaard encouraged voters to attend a tour before deciding:

“Vote however you feel, but please be informed. The building itself tells the story.”

Next Meetings & How to Vote

Residents are encouraged to attend a tour before voting.

✅ Tonight: 6 PM at the Junior High

✅ July 21 and 29 – Noon & 6 PM

Ballots will be mailed starting July 21 and must be returned to the courthouse by 4 p.m. August 12.

Reporter’s Note

As a reporter, I strive to cover community issues fairly and accurately. My goal is always to provide information so you can make your own decision. For transparency, I voted yes in last November’s bond election and plan to do so again. I encourage everyone to take a tour and decide for themselves. - Anna LaBay