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"It's a 3 story building, it doesn't have an elevator, so handicapped accessibility is an issue. The 2nd is, it's not upgraded for the latest technology," said Dr. Jill Janes.

Dr. Jill Janes is the Superintendent for Hannibal Public Schools. She says a new building would give students more opportunities if their school building was technology capable. But that's not the only problem the old school has. Take the cafeteria, it's also the kids gym, and the kitchen is so small, the cooks can't make all the meals there, they have to get shipped from other schools.

And the little space that looks like a closet, is actually the P.E. Teacher's office...and it's also the faculty lounge where staff can store and warm up their lunches....they have to eat in the library, because there is no staff lounge.

"We don't have any air conditioning at this time.  Also it's very hard to regulate the heat," said Mark Twain School principal Karen Wheelan.

That means, the temperature in the building is never just right. Some classrooms are way too hot, forcing teachers to open windows in the middle of winter, while other rooms are frigidly cold. In the summer, Wheelan said the school uses giant fans at the ends of hallways to circulate cool air throughout the building.

Janes says the project is expected to cost in the $8 million range, and she hopes taxpayers won't have to foot the bill. She says the district will wait until this summer, take a look at its financial picture before making a decision to go ahead with the construction of a new school.

The school principal also says the school needs a bigger library.  Wheelan says the current library doesn't hold all the books.  Extra books are stored in a storage room.  Dr. Janes says the district hopes to have a preliminary design of the new school by this summer.

She also said, the district will look at ways to go green with the new school.