Ribbon CUtting at New Elementary School
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Ribbon Cutting at Townsend Elementary School Sept. 27, 2022
Dignitaries from Townsend Elementary, the city and the county crowded around on Tuesday evening to witness the official opening of the new grade school. American Legion Post #42 members Jen Dalrymple and Linda Cosineau raised the flag with the help of Havyn Vandanacre who sang The Stars Spangled Banner.
School Board Chairman Jason Noyes congratulated all who worked on the project from conception through bond issue to construction. He thanked students and parents for their patience throughout the messy worksite during the year but pointed out how much the teachers and students were enjoying their new rooms. The $ 18 million bond issue more than covered the demolition of the old grade school, built in 1951, as well as completing a two-story, 56,000 square foot- facility with a huge modern kitchen, dining room and community space room. This work was covered in Phase I of the 3- year project. Phase II will involve connecting the grade school to the library and upgrading the electrical in the high school. “We are happy to announce will eventually include two new classrooms because we kept our budget tight, so had funds to move forward with Phase III to be completed next spring,” Noyes explained. He thanked project partners Hulteng Construction Management Firm owner Shane Swandal, A & E Design and Dick Anderson Construction for their work on the project.
Unique to the facility is a learning stairs room, built with giant steps to resemble an amphitheater. The room opens onto the outside covered patio area by way of a glass garage door. “The learning stairs room is an exciting space because we can have an entire grade of students take part in activities such as Tree Board’s presentation on Arbor Day. The space brings the outdoors in with light,” Principal Kristina Hartmann explained. The space will be available for community groups as well.
Teachers and Principals Brad Racht, Hartmann and Sheri Heavrin accompanied members of the public through the facility after a tour of the kitchen for cookies and coffee.
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