OKCPS To Purchase New Building, Details Plan To Inspect Schools

The Oklahoma City Public School district is one step closer to a new administration building. Monday night, board members approved the purchase of a 3-story building near N.W. 5th and Classen.

The cost of the new building is projected to be $2.3 million with an additional $2.5 million expected for renovations and moving expenses.

We also have new details on a plan to inspect Oklahoma City schools to make sure they're safe for students.

Oklahoma City schools are taking action following questions surrounding the structural integrity of Plaza Towers and Briarwood Elementary Schools, before the May 20 tornado.

Turns out, Centennial Mid-High in Oklahoma City was built by the same engineering firm which built the Moore schools.

We learned Monday night the OKC school board is launching an independent structural review of Centennial. The board voted unanimously to hire a legal firm to coordinate the inspections.

In a statement, OKCPS says, "Our goal is to be proactive and address possible safety concerns immediately and respond accordingly so that we continue to provide a safe learning environment for our students and staff."

As we've reported, The Journal Record published an article, last month, critical of the firm that designed Plaza Towers and Briarwood Elementary schools in Moore.

2/21/2014 Related Story: Safety Of Moore School Structures Criticized