Preliminary discussions held over potential new St. Francis grade school

HUMPHREY, Neb. -- Leaders involved with St. Francis are discussing the possibility of a new grade school in Humphrey.

"To say we are in the preliminary stages might be overstating the advancement of the idea," St. Francis president and teacher Fr. Eric Olsen said in an email to News Channel Nebraska, noting that St. Francis hasn't had a major construction project in over 60 years.

Olsen told the Humphrey Democrat that the school has dealt with issues in getting students with limited mobility from place to place, in addition to electrical issues, complications related to noise from the gym, HVAC concerns and bat infestations.

"It was an idea tossed out in a discussion about some issues with the current grade school at a school board meeting in early January," Olsen said in his email to NCN. "The board agreed to approach the finance committee and the parish council to see if there was even any desire to move in that direction."

Olsen said both councils agreed to begin exploring the possibility of a new building at their respective meetings within the past two weeks.

"That as far as it's gotten," Olsen said. 

There has been no additional study related to potential location or cost.