By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hays USD 489 celebrated the opening of the new Roosevelt Elementary School addition Monday night.
The addition and renovation is the first project completed under the $145 million bond issue.
Teachers worked on moving into the new space last week. Students' first day in the new addition was Monday.
"These new spaces will offer flexibility for new learning opportunities for students and staff that they've never had," Superintendent Ron Wilson said Monday night.
"While today we are celebrating the opening of a new and improved Roosevelt, we are also celebrating the beginning of something great that will occur across our district over the next two years as we continue to provide great learning space for all students and staff across our district," Wilson said, alluding to the other bond-funded projects that are in the works.
New classrooms were added to the Roosevelt to make it a four-section school, which means that it will be able to accommodate four classes of each grade, kindergarten through fifth.
Fourth- and fifth-grade students will occupy classrooms in the new addition, which also includes a gym and new library.
Previously, the school had one room used as a cafeteria, gym and auditorium, which made scheduling difficult.
A STEM teacher has been added at each elementary school. Roosevelt will now have a classroom dedicated to STEM classes.
The school board has approved the purchase of new furniture for the school, but it is on order.
Wilson thanked many people for supporting the bond issue and the construction project, including the school board, architects DLR Group and Nabholz Construction, the construction manager.
"We would also not be here today without the tremendous support of the Hays USD 489 parents," Wilson said. "... and the Hays community members who united and voted for this bond because they believed better school buildings were needed.
"But they also believed that better school buildings would help the Hays community thrive and survive for our future. New and improved schools will help us compete for families who will be making decisions about where they want to live and raise their families."
Wilson said new buildings do not do the work of educating students.
"But they no doubt will contribute to the positive experiences for our students and staff, and learning and fun will occur every day at Roosevelt for many, many years to come," he said.
Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Chris Sramek said Monday was an amazing day for the staff and students.
"Years of planning, hard work and collaboration have shown our community's commitment to education, to growth and to the potential of our students," she said.
"As our students walked through the doors this morning, I saw the sparkle in their eyes as they took in these new spaces," Sramek said. "That sparkle, the excitement, wonder and possibility reminds us all of why this project is so important."
The school is designed with the students in mind, she said.
"[It offers] spaces that inspire creativity, encourage collaboration and provide opportunities to grow in every way," Sramek said.
She said the building is its students' legacy.
"One thing you will always carry with you is this incredible memory of signing the beam that now stands as a permanent part of your school. Not many people can say they signed a piece of history—a beam that holds up walls and symbolizes the strength of this community," Sramek said.
"Every time you walk through these halls, you will know that pride is literally built into the school," she said. "Students, this is for you. May this school inspire you to dream bigger, think deeper and always strive to do your best," she said.
"This investment is not just about today but about the future, about equipping our children with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. It is about creating a space where students feel valued, empowered and excited to learn. We are Roosevelt," Sramek said.
Other bond projects
Work is underway on the new Hays High School, which will be adjacent to the current Hays High on East 13th Street. That building is set to open in August.
The current high school will be converted into a middle school, and the middle school will be converted into an elementary school.
Work on an addition at O'Loughlin Elementary School is set to begin after the first of the year.
Lincoln Elementary School will close in May. The district is working on a contract to sell the Lincoln building to developer Michael Graham, who plans to renovate the building into apartments.
The district also plans to close Wilson Elementary School. Upon the closure of the Rockwell Administration Center, Wilson will likely be used for administrative offices.
