“We could not be more excited at how things turned out,” said Sherman Superintendent Michael Ginstre. “We are at the ‘punch list’ phase with everything.”

A new roof, which comprised the largest portion of the $3.6 million project, is complete, Ginestre said.

“You can see the new flashing along the edges. It kind of spruces up the look of the building,” he said.

Work on the roof was hindered when it was discovered that repairs from 30 years ago had been improperly done, Ginestre said. The district incurred an additional $100,000 in cost on account of this. However, the district was able to keep the whole project within the budgeted amount, Ginestre said.

Sherman guidance counselor Lori Swenson said she enjoys her new office. Submitted photo

“We are almost to the dollar on the budget,” he said. “The architects and the Clerk of the Works did a great job controlling the budget and making sure we fell right in line.”

More visible than the roof and just as impressive are the new offices at the entrance to the school.

“The front office is so much more efficient now,” Gintestre said. “We are all there together.”

In addition to the superintendent, the new main office houses the principal, assistant principal, two guidance counselors, the main office secretary, the guidance secretary, and a part-time social worker, Ginestre said. An occupational therapy education classroom is also part of the new complex. Also, a wall was removed in a pre-k room to enlarge the area. A small addition that was a big deal to the administration was the addition of a conference room, Ginestre said.

“The conference room was much needed,” he said. “Now we don’t have to beg for space when we need to meet.”

The only part of the project that is not complete is the installation of a second entrance door to increase security. Visitors will remain in the space between the entrance doors until they are cleared to enter, Ginestre said. The new doors have not arrived yet. The delay in receiving the entrance doors is a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ginestre said.

“The one bad thing with COVID was a lot of supplies were delayed,”

The pandemic had a positive effect on the construction, however, Ginestre said. Because the school was closed, work could begin on May 1, rather than in late June after the school year ended.

“I think if it wasn’t for COVID, we would still be in construction,” he said.

However, also because of the pandemic, security has been very tight, Ginestre said.

“With our COVID entrance procedures, we have 10 staff members there every morning so there hasn’t been a problem.”

The finished project comes after years of preparation Plans for the project began in 2018, when two propositions were brought to a public vote on Dec. 18. Proposition 1, which became the current project, was passed by a large majority and involved repairs to the existing structure. Proposition 2, however, which involved new construction, was rejected by voters. In addition to the roof and the new offices, Proposition #1 included moving the library to where the office was located; replacing sidewalks that have been crumbling; replacing catch basins, replacing the chimney; and replacing worn plumbing fixtures. Ginstre said the district has not had a grand unveiling of the offices because students are still restricted from moving around the building because of COVID mandates. But the reaction so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Anyone who has been in there says: ‘Wow!’ when they walk in,” he said.