New school ribbon cutting, tours set for Friday

The public is invited to two events at the new K-12 school complex on Friday, Sept. 12.

The first is the official ribbon cutting, opening the new school. That’s at 10 a.m., with dignitaries here to cut the ribbon.

Immediately after the ribbon cutting, to be held at the front door of the elementary school wing, the public will get its first opportunity to walk through the complex.

At 6-8 p.m. Friday evening, members of the public who didn’t have a chance to catch the first opening, will have a chance to tour the building.

School patrons will be able to see the building at their own pace, and there will be school officials there to answer any questions.

The 100,000 square foot building will house elementary, junior high and senior high students, who have been attending school in three separate buildings.

Workers were installing sod last week, and bus lanes were being paved on Friday.

Friday, a host of workers including Superintendent Dennis Carlson, were active throughout the building in an effort to get all the last minute things finished before Monday, Sept 15, the first day for classes.

The opening of school was delayed this year so students wouldn’t have to move after just a few weeks in class in their old buildings.

Friday, local school workers were stocking the kitchen as they prepare to serve some 675 students on the first day. There are two cafeterias, one for secondary students and the other for elementary students, served by a single kitchen located in between.

Prior to this year, food has been prepared in a kitchen in Center Elementary School and trucked to the other locations. Students at the old high school had to eat in the halls and other areas because the district didn’t have seating areas for students.

While school will be open for all grades, there will still be some touch-up work going on.

Friday several of the classrooms had furniture in them, while some hallways were full of new furniture waiting to to be placed in others.

General contractor Walker Construction has donated about $200,000 worth of playground equipment to the district and it is placed and ready for students to enjoy. In fact, one child couldn’t wait and was spotted playing on the new toys Saturday.

Workers Friday were painting stripes, signifying special games, on one area and the elementary school gym is ready for recess games, with a near official size basketball court and outlines for additional games.

The district plans training on the use of new school technology and other things so staff will be ready to go next Monday.

Superintendent Carlson, who had promised that the school would be ready to start next week, said Friday, “We’ll be ready Monday.”

Lots of work left to do, but the school bells ring Monday on the opening of the $30 million plus facility.