New Market School a big step for that community

By Chuck Kajer

Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new elementary school in New Market was a big step in the future of that community.

For many years, children from the eastern portion of the school district have been bused for an hour or more to go to school at elementary schools in New Prague. Generations of students from New Market and rural areas around Webster and Lonsdale have made the trip. It was a necessity, since New Market itself was too small to support its own school.

But as we have seen over the past few years, that is changing. New Market has grown three-fold in just the past five years, with more than 1,000 residents in the city. The new building will allow children to go to school closer to their homes, where it is more convenient for them and their parents. In addition, the new facility will serve as a gathering spot for the community, where civic groups, scout troops and other groups can meet, and where events can be held.

The new school will serve the eastern portion of the district, roughly from an area east of Scott County Road 23 and State Highway 19. That means not only students from New Market, but the Webster and Lonsdale areas will benefit from this new building.

New Market will continue to be a strong portion of the New Prague Area School district. Its students will continue to come to New Prague for middle school and high school classes. The property owners will continue to pay their property taxes to support the district, and their residents will continue to enjoy the fine reputation that goes with the New Prague Area Schools.