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Dedication scheduled for new Engleman Middle School
The Dedication Ceremony for the new Engleman Elementary School at 1812 Mansfield Road will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, in the school's cafeteria.
A reception and building tours will follow until 8 p.m. Jan. 12.
"What an exciting time for Engleman students, parents, and staff. The credit for this successful project goes to the Board of Education, which as part of a ten-year plan and promise to the community, ensured that appropriate funding was identified to ensure a quality project. Kudos also go to the staff and parents of Engleman students who helped plan a facility that will provide children with classrooms and learning spaces that will surely take academic success to a higher level," Superintendent Steve Joel said.
The approximate project cost was $5.4 million, said Dan Petsch, coordinator of buildings and grounds for the Grand Island Public Schools. Cannon Moss Brygger and Associates provided architectural services, and Tri Valley Construction was the general contractor for the project.
"Staff and students were in awe when they first came to the building. It is spacious and very conducive to learning," said Engleman Principal Maureen Oman. "Students were impressed with the lockers, new desks, lunch room and their new classrooms. Staff have mentioned frequently about how quiet it is in their rooms and hallways. The new building is absolutely beautiful!"
The new school improves learning opportunities for the school's students and staff.
"Engleman students and staff will be able to work in small groups inside of their rooms rather than in hallways. We now have a lunchroom rather than eating in the gym. Students have a music room instead of using their classroom. The media center and computer lab are two of the biggest highlights of the new building. Multiple groups can utilize the media center at the same time," Oman said.
Lynn Cronk, Terry Brown, and Jennifer Worthington are the Board of Education members representing Ward A, in which Engleman is located.
"We would like to express our most sincere appreciation to the taxpayers of Grand Island. They are so supportive of public education, and they understand the importance of providing an appropriate learning environment for our students. We hope they will take advantage of the opportunity to tour the building and experience the improvements for themselves," Cronk said.
"The new Engleman will provide a greatly improved facility with district-standard-sized rooms that will enhance the learning environment. Some of the features I find most beneficial are the large lunchroom/commons area, teacher workroom and conference room, the new entrance, media center and computer labs, and kindergarten room addition. The school feels like a very comfortable space with the choice of color, fixtures, and textures. This project represents the district well in repurposing this facility and planning for the ability to expand to a four-unit school. I am very excited for the teaching staff and students to see their new school, which gives me visions of an Extreme Makeover episode," Brown said.
Grand Island voters approved a $19.95 million school bond issue in September 2005 that indirectly led to the Engleman project. The school bond issue funded constructing a new Westridge Middle School and classroom additions at Barr and Walnut Middle Schools. After the new Westridge was completed and students began attending classes there in January 2008, renovation of the old Westridge building began.
"The new Engleman is a beautiful building," Worthington said. "The use of a bright color scheme makes the classrooms so welcoming. The teachers have done a wonderful job getting their rooms ready for students. This repurposed building represents a cost-effective project that was made possible through the efforts of a very dedicated school bond committee comprised of parents and community leaders."
Petsch said features of the new school include:
*Most classrooms cover more than 900 square feet.
*A new heating and air conditioning system has improved the indoor air quality.
*A revised drive around the building makes it safer to drop off and pick up students.
*The school has a new playground because of fund-raising by Engleman's Parent Teacher Organization.
*Students in all grade levels have lockers.
*Office staff can view people entering the building at the front entrance, and the school has interior and exterior security cameras.
*The floors are rubber, which promotes "green" cleaning.
*The school was designed to become a four-unit school with a classroom addition.
"The move to the new building went very well," Petsch said.
For more information, contact: Dr. Steve Joel, superintendent, Grand Island Public Schools, (308) 385-5900,
sjoel@gips.org; Maureen Oman, principal, Engleman Elementary School, 1812 Mansfield Road, (308) 385-5902,
maoman@gips.org