On Wednesday, Oct. 4, Hays High School celebrated the groundbreaking of the new high school. The ceremony was held on the grounds of where the new high school will be built, just east of the current building. Ground was broken at the spot of the future half-court line of the basketball court for the new school.
The seven Board of Education members wielded the symbolic shovels, as well as Superintendent Ron Wilson and representatives from DLR and Nabholtz, the architect and the construction companies leading the project. USD489 Board of Education member Tammy Wellbrock said she was pleased with how the event turned out.
“I felt the energy and excitement from the audience, and I believe it is because this ‘new school’ is no longer an idea on paper but a building about to be built,” Wellbrock said.
Passing a bond for the new high school has been an ongoing challenge for years. Many people in Hays have expressed their disapproval of building a new high school for various reasons. Wellbrock acknowledged this obstacle, saying that it has been the biggest challenge they have faced in reaching the goal of a new high school for Hays High students.
“Our district has had two failed bond attempts in the past few years, and so, leaders recognized we needed a new approach,” Wellbrock said. “That approach involved a lengthy process of conversations with many stakeholders to determine what exactly our local voters would support.”
Wellbrock also shared some of the benefits that this new high school will provide students with.
“This new building was built to evolve as new educational practices unfold in the years ahead,” Wellbrock said. “This means our students for decades to come will have the resources and tools to help them grow and be prepared for future opportunities that are simply unknown at this time.”
The groundbreaking ceremony received positive feedback, as people of all ages came to participate in the celebration.
“There are still people in the community who grumble about the cost, scope and direction, but I truly believe that every generation owes it to the following ones to have a quality educational experience and environment in which to learn and grow,” Wellbrock said. “I’m extremely proud of what my generation has accomplished for [current] and future students!”
26ddixon@usd489.com
