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New Lakeland School opens after community bond funds three-and-a-half-year project
Summary
Lakeland School opened to students on April 12 after a bond the community approved in November 2017 funded a roughly three-and-a-half-year construction project; district presenters and the principal highlighted improved classrooms, a full-size gym, music and enhanced security and technology.
The new Lakeland School opened to students on April 12, completing a roughly three-and-a-half-year construction project paid for by a community bond approved in November 2017, a presenter said.
The school’s new building consolidates students who had been attending classes at the older Lakeland School, about 10 miles from town, and replaces facilities the presenter described as aging and costly to maintain. "We spent a lot of money each year busing kids out there," the presenter said, noting some students previously rode buses about one-and-a-half to two hours each way.
The principal said students immediately reacted to the new facility. "It was really fun, to see students arrive on that first day, and get to be part of this opening of our new school," the principal said. Students told staff their favorite features included the gymnasium, playground and digital clocks, and staff praised multipurpose rooms designed to support team teaching.
Officials highlighted new instructional and extracurricular spaces: a full-size gym, a dedicated music and band room so students no longer must travel to the high school for band, and a STEM classroom the principal described as "beautiful." The presenter said every classroom is new and that teachers "have the teaching and learning space that they deserve."
The building incorporates energy-saving features and updated security controls. The principal described LED lighting and automatic controls intended to reduce energy costs, and said the visitor system requires multiple steps to gain access to the building. Classrooms include interactive whiteboards and a four-speaker sound system designed to improve audibility and reduce distractions during instruction.
Community members, staff and students contributed input during planning, officials said, and the project’s completion is expected to reduce travel burdens on families and improve daily learning experiences. The presenter said the community’s support of the 2017 bond made the project possible.
The event concluded with informal audience applause and chants as staff and officials toured the building. No formal votes or policy actions were recorded at this event.
