LINN — Linn R-2 Superintendent Bob James applauded the efforts of all involved with completing the elementary playground project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.

“I really appreciate you coming to see the work that we’ve done here in the past few months,” James told a crowd of about 40 people. “And by the way, when I say ‘we’ve done,’ really, it was the staff of the elementary and our excellent PTO, including our president, Matt (McCoy), who’s been great to work with and a great partner.”

McCoy agreed. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the more than 200 hours of volunteer work on this project this summer, and it wouldn’t be possible without our partnership with Bob, the school board for approving the budget to pay for this infrastructure, and the voters who passed the bond issue,” he said.

Over the past year, the PTO has raised thousands of dollars to improve playground facilities, with a focus on developmentally appropriate equipment. After already providing a fantastic structure for our youngest learners in pre-K through first grade, they set their sights on the major goal of raising $85,000 for a playground structure to serve older elementary students.

Unfortunately, grants aren’t available to playgrounds that have fencing around them because those are not open to the public.

“The PTO couldn’t raise anywhere near enough money to replace the playground structure,” said McCoy. “We partnered with the school and Bob, reached out to him and said, ‘Hey, is this something you could help us with?’ This was at the time that the bond was getting ready to be issued, so he was able to tie it into the bond funding.”

With the district providing necessary funding, PTO members focused on tearing out the old equipment and preparing for the installation of newly purchased items. “We did that to save the school money,” said McCoy. “This summer, we’re putting in six more swings, and we have to do all the borders, rock work, and all that stuff.”

James added, “What made this effort truly remarkable is that it happened alongside ongoing support for classroom supplies, technology upgrades, and events that build school culture and climate. It became clear that this group was doing monumental work — and we wanted to help.

“This project has become a model of what’s possible when a school and its community work together,” James continued. “Many PTO fathers have donated time and muscle — contributing sweat equity to move the project forward. The collaboration between the PTO and our school district has truly been a joint effort built on shared vision and mutual respect.”

Linn R-2 A+ students Emma Jaegers, Anna Plume, Kristi Wibberg, and Kamryn Callahan painted the concrete on the lower playground. Like the U.S. map painted behind St. George as part of Grace Wagner’s Eagle Scout project. “Teachers can use it as a tool to help students understand how states are set up in America,” said McCoy.

James noted that hopefully, the ongoing improvements will improve kids’ lives on a daily basis.

“If we do that right, not only can we do it that day, and in that moment, but with projects like this, we support all of our students the whole school year,” he said. “They’re our extended family, and we’re going to pour what we have into them for a little while, and then we’re going to see the benefit of that support for decades of positive, positive conviction and contributions to our community. I think this playground is an example of that. Not only did we get the playground in the summer, but there’s an extra set of swings down there for the littles, another set up here for our older kids, and the playground set that you see here now. So, I think this is a testament to what you can do with great partnerships, and a testament to what we can do.”

McCoy thanked volunteers Andy and Deanna Zweifel, Dave and Cammie Otto, Steve and Peggy Otten, Mitch and Sophie Branson, Jason, Erin, Isabella, and Brandon Backes, and Eric and Alex Morfeld. He also expressed appreciation to the city of Linn and Mayor Dwight Massey, Aplex owner Ron Helmig, Moonlight Dent owner Travis Greer, Tim Helmig Backhoe Service, Rosebud Tractor, Osage Industries, Osage County Concrete, State Tech, and Sweet Bee’s Shaved Ice, with owner Christina Laughlin providing free treats at Thursday’s event.