(Left to Right) Myra Shawaway Orange – Culture and Heritage Committee Chair, Lonnie Henderson – WSK8 Principal, Valerie Switzler – General Manager, Warm Springs Education Administration, Chico Holliday – Warm Springs Public Utilities & Water Manager, Laurie Danzuka – School Board Member, Courtney Snead – School Board Member, Jay Mathisen – Superintendent, Gena Bennett – WSK8 Assistant Principal, Troy Capps – WSK8 Assistant Principal , Jamie Hurd – School Board Member
May 30, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joseph Prechtl, Communications Coordinator
jprechtl@509j.net | 541-475-6192 Ext. 2225
Jefferson County School District 509J Celebrates WSK8 Six Classroom Addition with Groundbreaking Ceremony
WARM SPRINGS, OR — The Jefferson County School District 509J held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of the six-classroom addition at Warm Springs K-8 Academy in Warm Springs, Oregon. JCSD 509J staff, administration, board members, students, and community members gathered for the ceremony.
The K-8 Academy was funded in part by the 2012 Bond and upon completion, the district soon experienced growth in student enrollment in Warm Springs. Immediately, all classrooms in the building were utilized and even some spaces originally designated as community rooms were transitioned into classrooms. The plans for the six new classrooms will allow the school to shift students into classroom spaces and transition repurposed spaces for their original intended use.
Through the result of several schematic design meetings, the new addition plans to include 6 new classrooms with support spaces such as a mechanical mezzanine, storage closet, and more. Located on Warm Springs property along Chukar Road, the design will include water-conscious landscaping as well as improvements to safety and accessibility of parking lots & pick-up drop-off operations. The estimated completion and move in is scheduled for Spring 2024.
Jefferson County School District 509J Superintendent, Dr. Jay Mathisen, expressed his excitement for what the six classrooms will provide for the school and community.
“This school is vital to our Warm Springs community and these six new classrooms will better serve not just students and staff, but the community as a whole. “I am thankful today for the nod of support our District received from voters.”
JCSD 509J passed a $24 million bond in November 2021. The bond is focused on improving health, safety, and security in all of our schools, updating and repairing aging facilities, and expanding vocational opportunities.
The community is encouraged to follow the construction progress through the bond website at www.509JSchoolBond.Org.