The walls at Sand Creek High School started tumbling down on June 6 when the community came together for a groundbreaking, or rather “wall breaking,” ceremony at the school. Administrators, students, and board members took turns knocking down walls to make way for a variety of school improvements and additions. The event marked the official kick-off for $83.5 million of projects across District 49 made possible by ballot issue 3B. Last November, voters overwhelmingly approved 3B by a 2 to 1 margin.
“Sand Creek High School is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, and we are so excited to start the next 20 years with enhancements,” said Audra Lane, SCHS associate principal. Renovations at the school totaling $7.5 million will include remodeling a portion of the school for flexible learning space, extracurricular activity areas, safety enhancements, new flooring, paint and more efficient LED lights.
“I am really excited … especially for the freshmen. It’s my last year [at Sand Creek], and it will be cool to see all the new stuff,” said Daja Jones, age 17, SCHS twelfth grader.
3B ballot language defines priorities for the new investment in District 49 schools, which includes attracting and retaining highly effective teachers, building two new elementary schools, creating new learning spaces at our three largest high schools, and refreshing and refurbishing every existing facility.
“On behalf of the D49 Board of Education, our staff, and most importantly the 20,000 students we serve, I’d like to thank our community for the overwhelming endorsement of an investment in our district,” said Marie LaVere-Wright, President of the Board of Education. “We strive to be the best choice to learn, work, and lead, and we can only do that with the trust and support of the community. We are incredibly grateful for the faith you have placed in us.”
Nunn Construction, the company leading the project at Sand Creek, was onsite for festivities.
“We get to participate and help learning through our great buildings. Our goal is to be good communicators with the community so you know how your dollars are being spent,” said Tyson Nunn, President at Nunn Construction.
The renovations at Sand Creek High School are expected to be complete when students head back to class Aug. 1.
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