News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Students at Black Butte School helped break ground on Friday on a major construction project to renovate existing classrooms and add more classroom space.
The last day of school is always a big deal in Camp Sherman, with students marking the transition to summer by running through the spray from hoses wielded by local firefighters. This year, the students had a serious - but joyful task - to accomplish before adjourning for vacation.
The 26 students of Black Butte School joined staff, community members, and the design and construction team on Friday, June 14, to break ground on a $4 million remodel of their school.
SAJ Architecture has been working with Black Butte School and project manager HMK Company to come up with an appropriate design to retain the look and feel of the school while bringing it up to modern standards. Griffin Construction was brought in early in the process to help make sure the design was efficient and could be built within the constraints of the budget.
Voters in 2023 approved $2 million in bond funds, which is matched by $2 million through the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching Program. The project will repair and update aging facilities, replace the HVAC system and roof, update restrooms, and improve safety with a secure entryway. The project will proceed in two phases, with the first phase - remodeling of existing classrooms - completed in time for students to return in fall 2024. Phase 2 will include remodeling the multi-purpose commons room and adding an additional classroom in the back of the school.
Head Teacher Delaney Sharp extolled the community-centered project.
"That's what it's all about, what this is all about - these students and the parents and school board and the community meeting to do this, to make things as good as possible for these students."
He said that the school will serve generations of students decades into the future.
Jonah Jensen of SAJ Architecture expressed great enthusiasm about the project.
He noted that the school may not be officially "historic," but it is an important part of the fabric of the Camp Sherman community.
"We wanted to be really respectful about how we expanded it further," he said.
His team has sought input from staff and students on what they want and need from their school.
"This is a real treat for us," he said. It's not every project you get to talk to every single student and get feedback from every single student, every single staff member, all the school board members."
With remarks concluded, teachers and parents herded excited students together, handed them golden shovels, and gave them a moment to mark the beginning of a new era at Black Butte School.
Construction started this week.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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