Defense Department grant will help new grade school construction at Fort Sill

The new school will replace two old schools, Geronimo Road and Sheridan Road elementary schools, on the U.S. Army post. Because of their condition, the schools were among the Pentagon's top priorities; they will be torn down and replaced with the 1,400-student Freedom Elementary School.

“Over 86,000 children attend Department of Defense Education Activity schools across the United States, Europe and the Pacific region,” Inhofe, R-Tulsa, said in a news release.

“Unfortunately, many of these schools are in urgent need of repair. That is why I have worked hard with the Defense Department to put an improvement plan in place. ... These funds will be put to good use in improving the learning environment for the children at Fort Sill.”

Inhofe last year authored an amendment to the defense bill requiring a Defense Department priority list for repairs and replacements. Sheridan Road Elementary School was third on the list, and Geronimo was 12th.

A top Army official toured the schools with Inhofe in May, 2011, and promised to help rebuild them. The post has expanded since the Air Defense Artillery School was relocated there after the 2005 base realignment and closure process.

The Fort Sill schools are currently part of the Lawton public school system, which will own, operate and maintain the new school, Inhofe's office said. Environmental requirements must be met before construction can begin.