Up go classroom walls

A Saturday room-raising work party brought together about 30 volunteers to put up walls, but, even with a dedicated community work force steaming away, the three new elementary school classrooms will not be ready on September 6 as project leaders had hoped.

Project manager Bill Willitts estimates the rooms will be completed from mid-to-late-November, although he acknowledges that, "everyone has a different guess."

Until the classrooms are ready, students will temporarily use other classrooms and space above the gym.

"But then," said Willitts, "sometime in November they will march into brand, new classrooms."

As of last week, the concrete floor was hardened and complete, and all the rough plumbing was finished. Then on Saturday, August 16, about 30 volunteers lent their craft and muscle to work on what Willitts called the "romantic part," - the framing of the walls.

Most of the walls are now standing.

Numerous local contractors have brought their skills to bear on the project, giving guidance to less experienced though willing hands (see Letters to the Editor).

"We had a real good work day," said contractor Curt Kallberg.

"There was a diverse group of people, from all different occupations from farmers to retired people to contractors. It was kind of like the old barn raisings used to be."

Elementary school principal Tim Comfort, middle school principal Rich Shultz and school board chair Bill Reed all lent a hand.

Volunteers and project coordinators will work at the site all week from about 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

According to Kallberg, beginning on Wednesday, August 20, "we are going to work on setting the trusses and getting the roof sheeted. Then we'll be on to the siding and plumbing."

Despite the generous help they have received thus far, project leaders still need both skilled and unskilled volunteers, particularly to help install sheetrock and insulation.

According to Willitts, the Sisters School Foundation has raised about $70,000 for the classrooms, which is about 60 percent of the goal of $120,000.