New Twin Lakes school opens to enthusiasm, pride

RATHDRUM – Starting the school year should be especially exciting for 300-some elementary school students who’ll be the first to attend Twin Lakes Elementary School near Rathdrum.

The 41,000-square-foot school is every student’s and every teacher’s dream, said a school administrator.

Two classrooms are devoted to each grade – kindergarten through sixth grade.

Special features include a stage, music room, computer labs, science centers and separate areas for students receiving remedial education and those with special needs.

“I think the new building will be a great asset to the area and to the community,” said Chuck Kinsey, Lakeland School District superintendent.

Offices for administrators, counselors and parent volunteers complete the mix.

“Lots of technology is built into this facility,” Kinsey said. Safety features have been important, too.

Ceiling-mounted sprinklers will help with fire protection.

Architects also considered sight lines. The idea was to create safe bus loading and unloading zones, Kinsey said.

“What the building has done is eliminate overcrowding at our other schools, and that will give them (additional) flexibility and space,” Kinsey said.

Energy efficiency in the form of heat pumps and lights that flip on and off thanks to motion detectors were built into the building, too.

Construction cost was about $6.2 million, covered in part by a $14.2 million bond passed in 2005, Kinsey said.

“I think residents will be very pleased,” he said. “The construction has been completed on budget and on time … and without an increased levy rate for taxpayers.”

Mary Havercroft will be school principal. She previously directed special services for the district.

Lines were redrawn to establish new geographical boundaries for each of the district’s school attendance areas.

School will start Tuesday.