Bowman school nears $1.8 million project's end

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BOWMAN — The Bowman County High School has nearly completed its approximate $1.8 million 14,000-square-foot remodeling and construction project.

School officials began the project about two years ago and plan to complete the last phase (the parking lot improvements) next year.

“We are very fortunate to be able to take on this project,” said Kevin Bucholz, Bowman County School Board president.

One new feature the school is excited about is a library that was recently dedicated to former School Board member Patricia Morland Dyk, who has passed on.

“The library atmosphere is warm and welcoming compared to the old one, Bucholz said. “It makes you want to read.”

The school was able to pay for the project with stimulus and energy money.

“We were very money conscious about these projects. We only spent what we could afford,” Superintendent Tony Duletski said.

Jack Stebbins, vice president of the School Board, said the school hadn’t seen any major construction projects for about 30 years.

“With so many new mandates and technology becoming available to students we needed to make changes to keep up with the times,” he said.

Duletski said though the school has seen a decline in enrollment, he and the School Board felt it was important to keep the needs of the students in mind.

The district has about 400 students including both Bowman County High School and Rhame Elementary.

Duletski said he and the board made the right decision.

“Even if we close down the road — which won’t happen for a long time — it was a worthwhile investment,” Duletski said.

This is important, said Sharon Holder, School Board member.

“They deserve to receive a good quality education and we as a school and community owe it to them to give them as many learning opportunities as we can, so that when they leave school they feel competent and prepared to face new challenges and are able to compete and thrive in the real world,” she said.

New features include a secure entrance and receiving area, library, commons area, computer lab, interactive television room, conference room, concession stand, sick room and additional office and storage area. The school also upgraded its fire system and put in a new intercom and clock system.

The remodeling projects included transforming a computer lab adjacent to the science lab into a science classroom and redoing the teachers’ lounge, special needs room and flooring in the middle school.

Stebbins said the project was needed because they felt short on space.

“We have a pretty stable population and prosperous community,” Duletski said. “Having a good school for children to go to adds to the appeal of our town and may help draw new people in.”

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