Five years in the making

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette

Southwest Public Schools board of education president Duane Teter and vice president Crinda McConville, above right, cut a two-tone blue ribbon during the grand opening Sunday afternoon of the new Southwest Junior and Senior High School in Bartley. Teter said, "This is the day we've all waited for," since March 2003, when voters approved the merger of the Twin Valley and Republican Valley school districts and said yes to a $7 million bond to build a new junior/senior high facility in Bartley. Lawsuits challenging the bond delayed construction for five years, and final construction bids came in at $8.3 million in 2008. Teter called the new school, "a good investment in our kids and for our communities and the school district." He continued, "With the extraordinary elementary school in Indianola, we're offering great educational opportunities for our kids." During the ceremony, school board members Tom Sughroue, top right, left, and Don Longnecker "planted" a bur oak tree -- "a symbol of endurance and longevity," said Superintendent Dave Hendricks. A real oak will be planted next spring, Hendricks said. School board member Steve Daffer, middle right, displayed the cover of the time capsule, into which historical and commemorative items will be placed in January. Southwest's band played before, during and after the ceremony punctuated by the drum line's performance of "Cadence," written by band director Rebecca Gosnell. Student Council members led tours of the new facility; senior Chris Dunn explained ag and industrial arts classrooms to Hendricks, above left, and school district attorney Kelley Baker of Lincoln. Students, teachers, staff and administrators will move into the new building on Friday.