Justus-Tiawah Public Schools' plan for new storm shelters

CLAREMORE -- When storms pop up while students are in school, it can be scary for kids and parents.

That's why more districts are adding or upgrading shelters.

Construction will begin soon for new storm shelters in Claremore, at the Justus-Tiawah school district. The school district recently had tornado damage, but thankfully students and staff didn't need to use its current shelters, because last year's E-F3 hit on a Saturday night.

New Shelters Coming to Justus-Tiawah

Big changes are coming to this little school district, where right now, students at the north campus have to go outside in between classes to get where they're going. After voters passed a $12 million bond, the plans call for current buildings to be connected, with a new storm shelter also serving as the library, kitchen and cafeteria.

"So that's something, even from a, not just a safety standpoint but from a security standpoint that makes a big difference for us,” Superintendent Dr. Shane Boothe said.

He said the district currently has dedicated spaces for severe weather, but they are not ideal.

"Here, we have one locker room in our gym that's a secure space, but that obviously doesn't fit everyone that's on campus here,” Boothe said.

Six miles away, is the district's other school site.

The storm shelter for the south campus is underground. It is dark, musty and cramped. So school leaders are looking forward to an upgrade, which could be ready by next year's storm season.

"The kids actually like it, I think more than the adults. They think it's fun to go down underground,” South Campus Principal Greg Kelley said.

Kelley said the only time in recent memory students have been inside, was for a drill years ago.

"It's tight. It's not, probably the cleanest, like our new storm shelter will be, but it works,” Kelley said.

A History of Tornadoes at Schools

Boothe said the push for new shelters came well before the recent tornado in Claremore, and before he took the job about two years ago. It was an idea he welcomed right away, because every school district he's worked for, has been hit by a tornado.

"Ya every school. I'm four for four on getting hit by tornados,” Boothe said. “The good thing, when it's time to rehire, is that I've never been hit twice."

A tornado damaged the Mangum school district in 2019, just days after school got out for summer.

"It took out softball field, Ag facility; it did quite a bit of damage to the edge of town,” Boothe said.

In 2011, the town of Tipton saw a twister. Boothe said students took shelter and school buildings were damaged.

And in October of 2001, Cordell's elementary school was hit, but Boothe said thankfully, no one was there.

"Just kind of an act of God. We had a transformer that blew at noon that day, so school was canceled at noon even though the tornado came through at 4:30, which would have been the time we were having ball practice and everything else so that was just the good Lord taking care of us there and that's part of it, just walk by faith and do the best you can,” Boothe said.

Dr. Boothe showed News On 6 the damage from last year's Claremore tornado, impacting the old gym at Justus-Tiawah.

With construction starting soon, he takes comfort knowing the community and his district are doing all they can now, to prepare for the future.

"Having that place, knowing that it's here, knowing it's a safe, secure environment, that's what we're all about,” he said.

Other School Districts with New Shelters

Skiatook Elementary in February unveiled its new gym that also serves as a community storm shelter.

A school bond issue that passed in 2023 paid for the gym. Students have already started using it for P.E. classes, or if they need to have indoor recess. It is ready for this year’s storm season.

"Because the need for the community, we followed all of the FEMA guidelines and so once this facility is closed during a storm it can withstand an F-5 tornado,” Skiatook Public Schools Superintendent Rick Loggins said.

Adair Public Schools is also adding shelters to its district. The shelters will double as classrooms. Those are expected to be ready for use this fall.

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