About 100 persons attended the dedication of the new Greene County High School Sunday afternoon. The event was held a year late due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Construction crews were able to work around supply chain challenges and have the building ready for students for the 2019-20 school year but no community event was held.
The time to reflect on the history of the $34.5 million project and to thank all those involved came after the building was in use for a year.
The event was emceed by school superintendent Tim Christensen. Other speakers were Chris Deal, Iowa Central Community College president Dr Jesse Ulrich, Greene County board of supervisors chair John Muir, Grow Greene County board member Craig Marquardt, and school board president Dr Steve Karber. (Steve Fisher was the only other school board member present.)
Chris Deal was the first speaker. He called the event a day “to celebrate, appreciate the extraordinary facility we’re in and to realize how much this is impacting our students, our staff, and our community.”
Karber spoke close to the end of the program. He graduated from East Greene High School, having attended classes in Dana, Rippey, and Grand Junction. His wife Julie graduated from Scranton High School, and their children graduated from Jefferson-Scranton. Steve and Julie Karber were instrumental in organizing the Our Kids, Our Future committee that led the effort for passage of the bond referendum.
Karber said the new facilities have many “wow factors.” He said the district “was in the Dark Ages” facility-wise, “and now we’re on the cutting edge. We have a great facility, not only for those who are going to college, but also for kids who better learning with their hands than with books.”
Sam Harding, who served on the Jefferson-Scranton and Greene County Schools board for 26 years and served as owner’s representative on the construction of the new high school and the renovation of the middle school, was the last to speak.
During his introduction of Harding, Christensen presented him with a plaque and a sign that designate a permanent reserved parking space at the high school. Harding was visibly touched by the gesture.
He said he served all those years on the board because he “believed so deeply in the power of education of our children. I brought that passion with me to these projects.” Harding had previously served as owner’s rep for projects in other school districts for pay, but donated his time to the local project. He called it a “labor of love.”
The program did not include a crafted statement of dedication, but Harding, as the last speaker, informally dedicated the building to the students who will attend it.
Harding said, “On behalf of all the children that will be using these facilities, I want to thank you, the people of the Greene County community, for approving our vision and helping us bring it to life. May all of our children reach their full potential with the guidance of our fantastic staff and these tremendous schools.”
