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Washington Elementary School

Groundbreaking Ceremonies Kick off Contruction

Groundbreaking Ceremonies Kick off Contruction

Principal Tim Shepperd (in the orange vest) leads the groundbreaking ceremony at Lincoln Elementary.

Washington and Lincoln Elementary Schools construction begins.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held today at Washington Elementary and Lincoln Elementary schools to officially begin construction of a new school at Washington, and modernization and addition at Lincoln. A capital projects bond passed by voters in February 2014 is funding the projects.

At Washington Elementary, principal Keith Collins greeted the gathering of school board members, citizens, teachers and students. Collins thanked everyone who had worked to pass the construction bond to build the new Washington.

Superintendent Brian Flones thanked businessman John McQuaig and parent volunteer Sarah Rolfs, who were instrumental members of a bond committee.  Flones talked about the need to build the new school.

“Washington is the oldest school in the district, built in the 1950’s,” said Flones.
“Generations of families have attended Washington, and building a new school is truly an historic occasion.”

John McQuaig told the crowd that the new Washington Elementary began with a vision ten years ago, when a facilities committee studied school needs and prioritized a new Washington and a remodeled Lincoln as the most imperative projects. “What we wanted to achieve was equality between schools,” said McQuaig, referring to the fact that Washington and Lincoln are overcrowded and hold classes in portables. The schools also lack cafeterias, modern libraries and gymnasiums.

At the groundbreaking at Lincoln Elementary, held later in the morning, principal Tim Shepperd emphasized the positive aspects of a modernized and larger school. “This ceremony allows our school community to join together in pride,” Shepperd told the crowd. “We celebrate the start of construction and modernization, where learning will come alive for many elementary students for years to come.”

Brian Flones told the gathering that the first Lincoln was built in 1912. The current school was built in 1957, making it the second oldest school in the district behind Washington. Flones also said that all his children had attended Lincoln.

John McQuaig said his daughter had attended Lincoln as well. He told the crowd that a vision is something you see in the future, and the facilities committee had envisioned a new Lincoln many years ago.

Also in attendance at both ceremonies were the architects and construction representatives, along with school board president Dr. Walter Newman, vice president Jennifer Talbot and member Laura Jaecks.

The projects are scheduled for completion in 2016.

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Spring Break (No School)

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