New school's groundbreaking

Linda Clark/Southwest Public Schools

Southwest Public Schools students, staff and board of education members, patrons and parents gather for the official groundbreaking of the new Southwest Junior-Senior High in Bartley Wednesday afternoon. School board president Duane Teter told those gathered for the ceremonial shovel-turning, "This project was a long time in the making. Many never thought this day would come, but we're glad it has." Superintendent Dave Hendricks said the audience included North Platte architect Stephen Granger, representatives of Sampson Construction, an honor guard representing five American Legion and three VFW posts and the high school band. Hendricks said, "We're excited to see all this support of the effort to build our new building." Shoveling dirt on the site of the new school -- north of the existing grade school in Bartley -- are board members, from left, Steve Daffer, Steve McConville, Duane Teter, Crinda McConville and Don Longnecker. The new school is expected to be completed in time for the 2009-10 school year.