Builders step forward to help Sisters schools

Can a volunteer effort in Sisters build four classrooms at the elementary school, tentatively valued at between $350,000 and $400,000?

The idea, which would be a spectacular follow-up to the Sisters Schools Foundation concert series, which raised more than $30,000 for school needs, is gathering momentum. But it's certainly not a done deal.

"There are many details to be worked out, but there appears to be a lot of enthusiasm. I am as excited as can be," said Sisters School Board Chairman Bill Reed. "I plan to sit down with Superintendent Steve Swisher this week."

Swisher said he was contacted by the foreman of a local contractor after the school board decided on April 29 that sixth, seventh and eighth graders would be taught at the old administration campus. The district is essentially creating a new middle school using existing facilities (see story, page 1).

That decision was going to leave the elementary school pretty crowded next year, but seemed to the board to be the best choice to relieve crowding at the high school and provide a unique academic and social setting for middle school students.

While scheduling for a middle school in the existing buildings "is doable," according to Swisher, four new classrooms would "add much more quality."

Enter the volunteers. Swisher told The Nugget that he had heard in the past from local contractors, but Tuesday's meeting seemed to galvanize the idea that they could make a major contribution.

On Wednesday, he met with another builder new to the area who offered to help. Since then, Swisher said he has received calls from five contractors and four trades people, businesses which provide building supplies and furnishings.

Swisher asked that names not be released at this time, until it became clearer who would be involved and to what extent. There are other details that need to be resolved.

Among them is establishing how volunteer work can be recognized as a donation, and how those generous enough to donate time or materials can see some offset of their taxes.

Another is selecting the right individual to lead the project.

The district had floor plans for four classrooms drawn up for the last bond election. Swisher said there are two d

esign options. The first would build two new classrooms off the south wing toward the playground and another two rooms off the west wing toward the parking lot.

The south rooms could take the building too close to the school's drainfield, however, and the second option would build four classrooms, two on each side of a common hallway, to the west.

Classrooms run about 900 square feet each. With the hallway, the total project would be about 4,000 square feet.

Over the next few weeks, Swisher said that the district will try to pull together key people for a planning meeting, finalize a design and have an engineer produce plans, develop a "needs list" and get permits.

If everything goes without a hitch, excavators could actually turn dirt after school is out in June and the rooms could be open in the fall.

Volunteer effort gave Sisters a new library. Habitat for Humanity volunteers builds houses for local families, and recently a new store to help fund those efforts. The Starry Nights Concerts saved co-curricular programs at the

high school.

Can the community add a new school to that already impressive list? Many seem to think so.

Anyone who would like to participate is asked to call Steve Swisher at 549-8521