“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…” began Rom Bommersbach, superintendent of the Devils Lake School District Thursday in dedicating the new high school.
And Bommersbach’s analogy of the Charles Dickens classic wasn’t too far from the truth in describing the school district’s 4-year journey to fund, plan and build the facility that is now able to house 700 students under one roof. That is no small feat considering students were conditioned to traveling back and forth 10 minutes across town for classes.
Nearly 600 people assembled into the high school auditorium/lunch room last evening as they came to witness the formal ending to one long chapter, and the launch of another era in education.
To add to the festive atmosphere, the crowd was entertained by both the Devils Lake Jazz Band and the Devils Lake High School Choir along with a color guard by the Devils Lake JROTC.
Emceeing the program were students Katie Johnson and Carrie Anderson:
“I am so proud to be a member of the first graduating class at Devils Lake High School,” Johnson told the crowd.
Anderson added that the new school building provided the opportunity to begin new traditions and end some old. “This is a place to grow, to learn…” she noted.
Joan Geritz and Dean Petska spoke on behalf of the Committee for Better Education which played a key role in the school district obtaining approval for the $3 million bond issue. Two previous attempts at bonds failed: one in 1988 for $7 million and one in 1989 for $4 million.
“I was thrilled and really proud when the whole construction project was finished,” said Goertz. “I worked with a lot of dedicated people.”
Paul Goulding, president of the Devils Lake School Board, told the assembly that the new building will bring a brighter future for the community and the students. “There were a lot of people involved in this,” he said. “I wish to thank the community, the school administration, the staff, … Steve Swiontek, Lyle Hoff and Dale Dalziel. We are indebted to the taxpayers for funding this building.”
He also credited many of the schools’ teachers for moving into the new building in only a matter of days. “You might not realize it, but this year 90 percent of our teachers had to move at some point or another. We had very few complaints.”
Goulding said staff and community were heavily involved in designing the structure and outlining the needs. Sam Johnson was credited for the amount of effort it took in assisting the school’s new library and for the tremendous amount of effort it took to move library materials and equipment to the new site.
Goulding also credited former school board member Dr. Richard Johnson for his many efforts toward the project. “Without all the efforts of these people, we would not be here now.”
Bommersbach outlined his “Best…/worst…” scenario in describing how good it was when the bond passed, when the architects planned the structure, when ground was broken for the project and when the move into the new school finally transpired. Characterized as the worst of times was the infamous winter storm last October and the failure to meet deadlines for the construction project.
Bommersbach expressed his gratitude to the public for approving the bond issue that made the school possible even though economic times are tough.
“You envisioned a dream and made it a reality. You have provided your children with an adequate, safe learning environment,” he continued. “You have helped them on their road to success.”
Jim Sampson, Devils Lake 1991-92 Teacher of The Year, described the building as highly valuable in the amount of use it receives. Some rooms, he said, are used from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. by students participating in classes and activities.
Other dedications were made by Chad Horner of the National Honor Society who provided a plaque to the school, Debbie Stromme of the Class of 1972 who dedicated a painting and Brian White Eagle of the Class of 1993 who dedicated a painting.
Architect Leo Grobe officially presented the new building to its new owner — the school district and community.
Officially participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Katie Johnson, Carrie Anderson, Joan Geritz, Dean Petska, Devils Lake School Board members, the Devils Lake Red Coats, faculty, parents and friends of the new facility.
Tours of the building followed the ceremony with refreshments.