Classroom project building local support

Sisters is about to prove what a community working together can do.

A meeting of those who can contribute to a "room raising" of four classrooms at the Sisters Elementary School has been set for Wednesday, May 14 at 11 a.m. in the administration office board room.

This locally grown, grass roots, voluntary effort has blossomed since the Sisters School Board voted to create a middle school using existing facilities at the administration campus. The move of seventh and eighth graders from the Sisters/Middle High School was going to cramp classrooms at the elementary school.

Instead, local builders are stepping forward to tackle the problem. It appears that four classrooms will be added to the west wing of the elementary school, two on each side of the common hall.

According to schools superintendent Steve Swisher, Bill Willitts has offered to be project manager. Local designer Juan Duarte has offered his services, as has engineer Norbert Volney.

Swisher said builders who have so far offered to help include: Curt Kallberg and foreman Gary Zanck of Kallberg Construction; Steve Keeton of Keeton & King; Bob Martin of Martin & Associates; Boyd Stuwe and Kelly

Renwick of Settergren Contracting, Inc .; Bruce and Carla Merrell of Merrell Contracting; and finish carpenter Bruce Anderson.

Rod and Connie Morris of Sisters Storage and Rental have offered equipment. Chuck Hoyt of Hoyt's Hardware and Building Supply has offered to participate and to contact their suppliers.

Fred Ast has offered his surveying services. Bill Reed of Reed Bros. Realty has offered gravel, fill and use of equipment.

Tom Houck has offered to help with telephone communications equipment; Mark Nelson of Sisters Decorating has offered assistance with floor covering.

Sandra Rosencrantz will help with construction cleanup, Mike Burke of Burke Landscaping will work on landscaping.

Karen and Buz Buckingham have offered organizational support and Betsy Fegette will keep project records and take care of bookkeeping.

There are still many slots that need to be filled, including masonry, plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling, glazing, finish work and roofing.

Anyone who can assist in any way with the project is asked to call Swisher at 549-8521 or at home at 549-8018.

In his "Friday Update," Swisher wrote that permits could be acquired by June 15