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Retired middle school principal Jim Harner stepped into the Luverne Middle-High School June 2 and found things have changed.
“It’s really something,” the retired principal said.
The Luverne School District is in the final months of a two-year $31 million construction project at the middle-high school.
About 30 retired educators, including Harner, were invited on a tour hosted by the Luverne Education Legacy Fund’s 2184 Campaign committee members.
“I think most of you will be in awe of what you voted for (in the 2017 bond referendum),” said Superintendent Craig Oftedahl, who led the tour. “We have literally touched every single inch of the middle-high school.”
Harner said the recent construction addressed concerns that were discussed in the 1970s when he arrived at the district.
One such project would move the basement cafeteria to the main level.
“It’s kind of a dungeon down there,” said Harner, who retired in 1993.
This fall, almost 50 years later, the basement cafeteria will no longer serve meals as the new 411-seat commons opens with a new state-of-the art kitchen.
Oftedahl said the new walk-in freezer is about the size of the entire current basement kitchen. Students will also have four meal-line choices instead of two currently offered.
“We are very excited for our students going forward,” he said.
The excitement moved beyond the cafeteria to the performing arts center with its 56-foot ceiling and 779-seat capacity.
The tour finished in the existing structure, updated with a new color scheme of red, grays, black and bright blue.
Each wing of the two-story school was remodeled with three learning commons located outside a block of classrooms.
“Most schools nowadays have something similar that gives teachers some flexibility on how to handle (collaborative learning),” Harner said.
Helping with the extras
Community members, along with the former educators, are encouraged to donate money toward extra amenities to enhance school pride with the current building project.
Donations could also be designated “in memory of” or “in honor of” in the fundraising campaign.
“Now is the time to bring history into the future,” said Emily Crabtree, an LHS graduate and director of the Luverne Area Community Foundation.
LACF oversees community donations for the Luverne Education Legacy Foundation.
Crabtree joins retired teacher Mark Lundgren and LHS grad and current teacher Jason Berghorst in emphasizing that now is the time to enhance the current building project.
“If you don’t do it now, it will never happen,” Lundgren said. “The projects have become endless.”
With donations already received, a 25-foot red “L” was embedded in the new terrazzo flooring in the commons.
More donations will enhance other areas involving academics, activities, campus beautification, fine arts and/or alumni recognition.
A recognition wall would recognize alumni, former teachers and staff who donate $2,184.
One recent donation is dedicated toward the development plans for four garden areas on the school campus.
One area would incorporate the current steel canopy in front of the middle-high school into an outdoor classroom/public garden area.
More information about the 2184 Campaign, the projects and how to donate is located on the school’s website, www.isd2184.net.