Plans for new buildings and new projects are resting on the backburner for school districts across the nation but the shovels are out here, and plans are full speed ahead for this year and even further in the future.

With teachers, students, moms and dads looking on, the district turned dirt on Wednesday for a new 5th-6th grade building. It'll open in one year -- in 13 months, not a day too soon for those in this audience.

"We moved here three years ago,” said Lynn Allen.

Allen and her family chose Nixa for a number of reasons. Education hit the top of her list.

“The Realtor told us there had never been a bond issue to not pass,” said Allen.

Her family's decision is replicated time and again, year after year. The district has grown by approximately 200 students every year for the last several.

Peggy Taylor became a member of the district's board 25 years ago.

"When I was elected, there were fewer than 1,500 kids,” said Taylor.

A decade ago, that number had more than doubled to a little over 3,300. This year is just shy of another double -- to 5,700.

The overall population of Nixa has grown similarly by 5,000 in the last decade.

"People move here for a number of reasons. Number one is the schools,” said Superintendent Stephen Kleinsmith.

They're expecting another 200 to sign up for a Nixa education next year.

"We feel the recession, but not like other places."

They believe construction contributes to that.

"We're building, and then those people have to find a place to eat, etc."

But, on the flip side, it requires constant planning. No sooner does the district celebrate one milestone than it has to look ahead to the next.

"We have a ten-year plan: three years, then the junior high, then another elementary; in 2017, a new high school,” said Kleinsmith.