New Almira School opens after fire

ALMIRA - Following nearly two years of rebuilding efforts, The School District opened the new Almira School at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31.

The Almira School District, elected officials, special guests, students, staff and community members gathered at the new school facility for a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house event.

After the short ribbon cutting, the large crowd moved to the new school's multi-purpose room.

Superintendent Dan Read welcomed attendees and led everyone in the first flag salute in the new building. He recounted the events of the past 22 months, beginning with the devastating fire on Oct. 12, 2021, which destroyed the community's school.

"On the next day, the staff met and rolled up their sleeves," he said.

Within a short period, he recalled that hundreds of people reached out to help the school and community. Two days after the fire, supplies rolled in and community and staff stepped up.

Makeshift classrooms were set up in the town's community center, the Almira Community Church and room was made at the school in Coulee City for the middle school students.

The next months were busy as plans went forward. In the spring, portable classrooms arrived on the school's football field. "Students labeled the classrooms, 'The Yard,'" Read said.

Project manager and speaker Gene Sementi was introduced by Read.

"He was instrumental in getting funding and helping us get all this done," Read said.

As Sementi rose to speak, he received a standing ovation.

"We are still a work in progress," he said, pointing out that three hours earlier, workers were busily preparing for the event.

"Garco Construction has moved heaven and earth, literally earth, to get the school open for next week," Sementi continued.

He gave a major shout out to site supervisor Mike Hansen. This 1980 Wilbur High School graduate was at the site almost every day.

"When I think of this project, I will think of Mike," Sementi stated.

Student body President Mallory Isaac read a short speech and a lengthy list of those who donated to support the community and school. Student body Vice President Savannah Monson followed, reading an equally long list of those who contributed through the Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) fundraising efforts.

Almira School Board President Cam Carstensen addressed the crowd.

"A few more people than expected," he said.

He called the school building completion a major accomplishment and with great emotion in his voice, thanked the Lord, the teachers and the kids for what they went through. He asked the crowd to join him in reciting the Almira Warrior Chant of "Hey Warrior, Go Warrior, Attaway, Attaway."

State Superintendent of Schools Chris Reykdal was among officials gathered at the school opening. He remarked on how the state legislature had to work in a non-partisan manner to get funding for the school rebuild.

"I am grateful to have had a small part in this," he said. "Your kids are gonna thank you for 100 years."

Legislators Judy Warnick and Alex Ybarra of District No. 13 worked with District No. 9 Senator Mark Schoesler in the all-out effort to get funding for the school.

"Mark Schoesler was here in person within a week of the fire and wanted to know what he could do to help," Sementi said.

Schoesler mentioned the great teamwork of legislators who moved the project forward and into the Governor's budget and secured millions in funding.

Architect Ken Murphy spoke about the journey of building the school.

"It usually takes three and a half years to open a new school," he said. "To condense it into 22 months was a lot of pressure,"

As part of the process of designing the new school facility, Murphy met with teachers and community members for input on their vision of what the school should be

Another speaker was Construction Supervisor Jake Hodge, originally from Davenport.

"Being a Lincoln County guy made it easy to show up," he said.

He also remarked about the resiliency of the community.

"I am grateful to have been a part of this," he said.

Interspersed throughout the speeches, were words of gratitude for all the people who gave funds and offered support in so many ways in the past 22 months.

Before teachers moved to their classrooms and students and guests joined them to tour the new 48,000 square foot school, Principal Kelsey Hoppe was invited to speak.

Hoppe recounted the journey from the fire to today's event, reminding everyone of the ultimate purpose of all of this.

"We never lost sight of the mission of creating a nurturing environment for children that walk through the doors," she said.