The new Southeastern Elementary is ready to accept students for the first time when all Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools open for classes August 7th.  But this building did not have an easy road to completion.

First, the required voter referendum authorizing the funds for this school was passed in 2013 with just under 68% of those voting casting a yes ballot.  But that referendum contained funding of $22 million, which would easily fund an elementary school in 2013, but is less than would normally be needed to fund a school today with inflation factored-in.

School officials knew there would be challenges to construct this school within the budget parameters of that 2013 referendum.  But working with architect Jim Funk of CSO, and Hagerman Construction, HSE Schools officials were able to complete the building within the $22 million budget.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was held inside the gymnasium Tuesday morning, allowing more people to watch the event.  Current and past school board members were in attendance.

“Southeastern Elementary is, in some ways, a dream come true,” said HSE Schools Superintendent Allen Bourff.

Superintendent Bourff asked those in the crowd to think about the “soaring spaces” as they walked around the school building.

Assistant Superintendent Jan Combs tells LarryInFishers that no portable classrooms will be used at Southeastern Elementary this school year.  Enrollment is higher than projected due to a larger-than-expected number of kindergarten students.

The crowd for the ceremony nearly filled the Southeastern Elementary gymnasium