Desk donation saves Seltice Elementary ‘thousands’
POST FALLS – Mike Uphus is a school principal of the pragmatist sort. Yet, he’s also a believer in divine inspiration. Wayne Laudahl is his proof.
As principal at the nearly 650-student Seltice Elementary School in Post Falls, Uphus had recently been discussing some of the school’s long-term needs with a co-worker, with some sort of study table as the top priority. The next day, as if on cue, Laudahl, a local contractor and father of a Seltice third-grade student, approached the principal with what has become a yearly inquiry and offer, to construct whatever the building needs.
“I told him that I would like to get a few study tables for our building for those children who need to be in a place where they can concentrate and not get distracted.
“When he asked me how many, I told him that my goal was to get one per room,” Uphus wrote in a recent invitation for a thank-you ceremony in honor of those involved. When Laudahl returned, he’d secured the material and offered to build the nearly washing machine-sized desks – 24 in all – for the elementary school.
But, Laudahl insisted, only as long as the desks were a donation, since “it’s only fun if I can do it as a gift.”
Two weeks and 24 desks later, the fruits of Laudahl, his four-man work crew from Complete Home Service and a cavalcade of local businesses, were on display at Monday morning’s ceremony, where teachers, administrators and bookshelves framed the builders while Uphus praised their generosity. Local businesses pitched in with material and tools provided at cost from Badger Building Center, Ace Hardware Ranch and Home and Mobile Corral Homes. What would have set the school back almost $9,000 cost Laudahl and crew only $1,000, and the district nothing.
“This has been a long history with Wayne,” Uphus said, adding that Laudahl’s Complete Home Service has built bookshelves and cabinets for the school in previous years. About their serendipitous chat not long ago, Uphus said: “He seems to have an uncanny knack; I was just telling our secretary we needed something like this and had her do some research. We’re on a limited budget, and after having them priced, including shipping, it would have cost the school thousands of dollars. (Wayne) and I believe in divine inspiration.”
Each of the school’s classrooms will be outfitted with one of Laudahl and crew’s creations: an encompassing white desk that features the standard writing area as well as sideboards and a tall back to keep students more focused on their work. “This is an open-concept school,” Uphus said about the study tables. “This sort of keeps them focused, and it just helps them.”
The project had an added bonus of keeping Laudahl’s crew busy during the slower winter months.
“I’m the owner, and I figured rather than have these guys on unemployment, I’d have them do something for somebody,” he said.
Uphus organized the morning ceremony to not only recognize those who helped with the project, but as a way to show that the community can help with the “extra stuff” that the school can’t always financially obtain.
“We do have people in the community who help out,” he said. “They, like us, make it happen for the children.”