KEOKUK, Ia. (WGEM) -
The Keokuk School District invited community members today to come see their high school's new look.
The Keokuk High School $10 million dollar renovation began in 2011, and today dozens came to celebrate its completion.
A new field house, new windows, new classrooms, and more. Everywhere you look at Keokuk High School- something is new.
"I like it a lot, it really looks nice," said Fran Sprunger, whose grandchildren attend the school.
Principal Larry Frakes said he is excited to be done with construction and able to share the improvements with the community.
"It has been a long process. It was a situation where this building was built in 1953 and there hadn't been a lot of renovations," said Frakes.
So, using money raised with a one-cent tax, the school district took on updating in the high school and two elementary schools.
While the school looks nice, the community, students and administrators said the improvements are more than just physical.
"It gives them something to be proud of, and I think that's important," said Sprunger.
"It makes me want to keep it clean and do better in school and keep it nice how it is," KHS student Kelsey Leffler.
Frakes added, "Kids are our future. And if this will help kids come to school and give them something to be proud of, and the community something to be proud of and also bring businesses to this community it was very well worth the effort. "
Keokuk Mayor Tom Marion said improving schools is just the start to a larger goal of bringing more employers into Keokuk and keeping residents in town after school.
Frakes said there are still some small projects to be completed with the renovations. In the coming years, the district will be working to bring a computer for each student into schools.
