As the leaves change, the hum of construction equipment can be heard throughout the school. Outside construction workers are building the $21.3 million dollar STEAM center and trying to meet the deadline for the August 2024 opening.
The referendum that paid for the buildings passed by 300 votes. Other things that have been built because of the referendum are the new high school offices finished earlier this school year. The new Middle School offices were finished about a month ago. The new elementary offices were finished around the same time as the others.
High school principal Mr. Klieforth said “so far so good on the construction.”
Included in the new steam building are a new ag science area and an improved shop. Funds also paid for a new science department, a new art department, and a new tech ed building.
Students are excited in anticipation for the project to be completed. One student, a freshman at Amherst High School, said “I’m happy that it’s going to make the school look better.” Another freshman added, “Some of it we really needed,” and yet another student said, “I can’t wait to see the new shop area and am hopeful for machining and designing capabilities.” Principal Klieforth also said, “it was a necessary improvement.”
Speaking to various community members, however, opinions on the project are varied. One taxpayer, with children in both high school and kindergarten, said “I’m happy that my kids will have the most up-to-date resources and technologies to learn and best their opportunities for the future; however, I feel financial investments could be better geared toward our best teachers, rather than building enhancements. It’s certainly an impact on our annual taxes and that makes it bittersweet.”
Another community member, with grandchildren attending the district, said, “This financial impact on a fixed income could be devastating to some, especially with the current state of the economy. I believe in the future of my grandchildren, and as a graduate of AHS, I stayed in this area solely for my children and grandchildren; however, at some point the financial input will be too great for the number of students within the district.”
A former AHS graduate, who is not currently a taxpayer within the district, but will have a student attending the school system within the next two years, said, “It’s nice that they’re expanding on the educational departments of the school rather than focusing only on athletics.”
Finally, a former Amherst Elementary educator added, “School districts have a responsibility to use their resources wisely in providing a free and appropriate education for all students. When asking taxpayers to approve a referendum, those funds need to be utilized foremost to improve student academic performance.” When asked if they thought if this referendum is achieving that, the educator stated, “In my opinion, that was not their number one concern. Re-doing offices should not be a priority. The rebuilding of the ag building would be, since it was outdated.”
In conclusion, there are various opinions on the project, but now halfway through, it’s safe to say all are eager for completion. (Information used in this article can be found on the Tomorrow River School District website.)
