Winds of change blowing through school system

Okay, let's be honest. While we gripe about school starting ... bemoaning the early end to summer vacation ... we also feel, deep down, a sense of excitement.

Each year -- as students, parents, staff and patrons -- we get a chance to start anew, to return to school with a new opportunity to learn and grow both educationally and socially.

This is especially true in the communities of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas.

Here in McCook, the educational experience goes far beyond the 1,300 to 1,400 kindergarten through 12th grade students. That's because almost everyone in and around town is involved in the school scene through parenting, financial support and attendance at events.

"This is an exciting year for District 17," said Randall Datus, the school's business manager. "So much is going on. The approval of the elementary school bond issue signaled a change, and we can feel it throughout the system as the start of the school year approaches."

While work on the $5.8 million school project begins at the North Ward site, the school is also sprucing up its other buildings and grounds. Painting crews have been busy through the summer, giving new coats to the hallway walls at Central Elementary, McCook Junior High and McCook Senior High. Also this summer, two parts of the senior high roof were recovered with membrane and rock, and new tile was installed in the high school. Other projects included fencing around the high school's track area; carpeting of the hallways at Central Elementary; and -- soon -- resurfacing of the driveway between the junior high and senior high.

The upgrades are all due to be completed by or soon after the start of school, which for students will be in just eight days: on Thursday, Aug. 19. As always, it will be interesting to see what the total enrollment turns out to be. At the end of the 2003-04 school term there were 1,344 kindergarten through 12th grade students, but that total is expected to increase this year due to students moving in during the summer and option students arriving from Culbertson.

The students won't be the only new faces. There will also be 13 new teachers and four other new staff members, bringing the total staff for McCook schools to 206. Even at that, the school staff may not be completely set. Because of teacher pregnancies, health concerns and the needs of new students, there may be further changes, especially in Special Education services.

An exciting time? Yes, it is. Start with new students, new teachers and updated facilities, then add a renewed opportunity to learn. It's hard to give up the leisurely days of summer, but school days have their special rewards, too.