JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — Joplin school officials say most of the district’s 14 new community safe rooms should be ready for use in time for tornado season next spring.
Safe rooms are already open at six elementary schools and a Junge Field. Rooms at another five elementary schools and Joplin High School are nearly complete.

The Joplin Globe reports one safe room at Columbia Elementary School has been delayed by problems with preliminary ground work.
All the safe rooms will be open to the public whenever a tornado watch or tornado warning is issued, when severe weather includes winds of more than 75 mph, or when tornado sirens are sounded.
A federal grant paid 75 percent of the cost, with the other 25 percent paid by community block grants and the district.