Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A new look outside and inside greeted Oakesdale students for the 2017-18 year.
First, road work around the school reduced the grade of Second Street hill and widened the loading and unloading area for buses.
On the inside of the elementary building, rows of 1956 single-pane windows were replaced for energy efficiency. Each classroom now as two 4x6 windows and a metal door to the outside with a window.
Last items to finish on the roadwork include putting in railing on a retaining wall – which was first measured incorrectly and needs to be re-done.
The new, modern windows allow less heat from the sun into the classrooms – evident in the now cooler rooms. In winter, the windows keep more heat inside.
“I would think the (savings) will be pretty significant,” said Jake Dingman, superintendent/principal.
The work follows the installation of a new boiler last summer which resulted in $40,000 in diesel savings in 2016-17.
Windows were installed by Quality Construction of Deary, Idaho, paid for from the school’s capital projects fund which derived from a $600,000 capital projects levy in 2015.
“We’re really happy with the work,” Dingman said. “We’re appreciative of the community support that got us this money. The kids were super-excited.”
Further plans for the third year of the levy (collected at $200,000 per year) are being discussed by the school board and its architect, Laurence Rose.
The street work at the school, which began the Monday after school got out in June, included reconstruction of sections of three streets; Pearl Street from Second Street to First Street, First Street from Pearl Street to McCoy Street and McCoy Street from First Street to Second Street.
In addition, other changes included relocating and lowering water and sewer mains, sidewalks, constructing retaining walls and a storm water system.
The Town of Oakesdale received a $930,400 state Transportation Improvement Board grant in November 2015 to cover the costs.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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