About 80 people gathered at the newly expanded Dolores School campus during a grand opening last week.
Superintendent Scott Cooper thanked the citizens for funding $3.47 million of the $7 million project through a bond measure.
"Without your vote, we would not be here. Thank you," he said. "This project is been one of our hopes and dreams for 12 years."
Refreshments were served, and tours given, but first more community accolades were given by the enthusiastic and proud "Super" Cooper.
Many thanks were given to the Dolores school board for their "fearless leadership" in moving the project ahead despite challenges; to the students and staff for their "flexibility, patience, and understanding" during construction; to the teachers for teaching "while jackhammers blared"; to the school maintenance staff; to the Colorado Department of Education for approving a $3 million BEST grant; to FCI Constructors and Blythe Architects; to the Town of Dolores for road and fire hydrant upgrades; and to the Rotary and Chamber for promoting the bond issue.
Recently retired business manager Karen Andrews was given credit for critical reserves needed to complete the project.
"Her fiscally conservative approach to a balanced budget and saving money for a rainy day allowed us to lean on those reserves and pull $500,000 when we needed it most," Cooper said.
The crown jewel of the project is the combined math science and vocational-agricultural building, a modern facility that is LEED GOLD certified for environment-friendly construction and design.
"Remember the windowless, leaking and cracking building. We recycled 250 tons of cinder block and used it as backfill," Cooper said.
New beginnings come with some reminiscing. Favorite science teacher Dave Hopcia saw innumerable students pass through his labs and classrooms.
"I saw the sadness in your face," said elementary principal Sherry Maxwell. "So we salvaged a cinder block and painted it gold as a memento for you to remember the old building."
Tours revealed freshly lit classrooms and lab stations. Sky lights and huge windows bathed everything in natural light. A large enclosed lab station and venting hood can be viewed from two sides, allowing for safe chemistry experiments easily seen by students.
"We're hoping to inspire students in the science fields, and this gets us there," said science teacher Pete Swingle. "In my 37 years teaching, I've never taught in a facility as nice as this. The kids love it, and the whole school is talking about it."
In the math room, a smart board was installed, an interactive computer screen for working out problems and giving lessons. The room has stove hook-ups for future home-economic courses.
"When they get to college, these students will be ready. Modern facilities make a difference for learning," said Richard Fulton, of Fort Lewis College.
Principal Brandon Thurston showed off the complete rebuild of the locker rooms. Upgraded plumbing, office space and lockers give the PE classes, home team and visitors more pride, he said. The school received upgraded fire sprinklers throughout the campus as part of the expansion, he added.
Five classroom were added onto the elementary school. And a new breezeway and courtyard there provides teachers and students more privacy from the street.
"The ice dam is gone, it is covered and much safer, and now we have a great outdoor space for lessons," Thurston said.
Sixth-grade science teacher Chris LaRose scored one of the new classrooms. The well-lit space is more conducive to learning, and allows for more student collaboration, he said.
"It's a better learning environment than the previous tight classroom. It provides more space for resources and storage," he said. "The kids are proud of it and feel lucky to be here. I'm grateful as well."
