Pend Oreille schools getting much-needed updates

Walk into several of the schools in Lake Pend Oreille School District and one instantly notices the changes that have taken place over the past few months.

Although the new flooring and paint are what first catch the eye, the repairs and renovations are much greater than that.

The upgrading that is taking place throughout the district is funded by the Plant and Facility Levy which passed – after several failed attempts – by only 50 votes last spring. When the final votes were tallied there was relief felt by all who worked tirelessly to make sure voters knew the facts and about the most urgent physical needs of the district.

“We had so many compelling needs from a facility standpoint and our committee worked so hard, I simply did not want to think about the issue not passing,” said Superintendent Dick Cvitanich. “Passage during the economic environment we faced in May was quite an accomplishment for our community.”

According to Cvitanich, $5.1 million of the $14.1 million was designated specifically for health and safety issues throughout the district’s 11 schools, which serve approximately 3,800 students.

Director of Facilities Sid Rayfield is overseeing the work which began as soon as the election was certified in early July.

The immediate needs included asbestos removal, installation of running water in classrooms, installation of new floor coverings, putting in place safety protection around playground equipment, roof repair, paving of walkways, upgrading boilers, and installing functional school bleachers.

“It was an extremely busy summer for our employees as well as contractors. Getting everything ready before school began was the major challenge,” said Rayfield.

And something that is sure to please even those who voted against the levy is that of the work that has been completed thus far, the district has been on time and under budget.

With the return of the students in the fall also came a slow down in repairs and construction. But Cvitanich said they will continue to work on the schools during students’ vacation time.

“We planned for our health and safety work to span two summers,” said Rayfield. “I believe all of those projects identified will be completed by the end of next August and on budget.”

In addition to the health and safety concerns, one of the biggest issues for proponents of the levy was the completion of Kootenai Elementary School and the addition of four classrooms at Sagle Elementary. The last levy to pass in this district was in 1987; it was then that Kootenai was supposed to have been completed. However due to inflationary costs, the work was never done.

Instead, for the past 20 years Kootenai Elementary has had to use portable classrooms. There is no formal kitchen or gym. Instead what is supposed to be the kitchen is the office for the school secretary and principal.

“The modified entrance to the school is through a side door which has no markings. If you were new to the school you wouldn’t know where to enter,” said Cvitanich.

The plans for Kootenai Elementary include the construction of 11 classrooms; a gymnasium and the current office space will revert to its original plan and will house the kitchen.

With the increased capacity, some students who are currently being bused to Farmin Stidwell will attend Kootenai. According to Cvitanich, with increased housing construction in the Kootenai Elementary boundary area, there is sure to be expected growth in the next three to five years.

The plan is to finish the four-classroom addition at Sagle Elementary by next fall, and Kootenai is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2010.

“It will be a welcome relief to everyone when Kootenai Elementary is finally completed after 20 years,” said Cvitanich.