Cutting the Ribbon on Audubon's Newly Renovated and Remodeled School

"It's like getting a new school building," -- School Board member Donna Bauerly.

Video, Story and Stills by by Gary Olsen

he teaching philosophy back in the 1970s was that students could learn better in an open school setting with no walls and "mods" or modular learning centers. Audubon Elementary was built for 300 students with this philosophy in mind. From an architect's point of view, at least we could reduce costs on building such schools... think how much we would save in doors and wallboard alone.

Well now, we have 400 students at Audubon, and over the years, teachers discovered that teaching, much less learning in such an environment, was often chaotic, with kids distracted by what was going on in other modules. Acoustics were not the best, so sound baffles were put in the ceiling, book cases created a maze of trails through the building, all of which cut down on the light from the fixtures. And since there was no light from windows, the building was dark and dreary rather than light and open. Add to this environment new technology including computers, video machines, and all the other difficult to install and manage. With no walls, where do you plug stuff in? Teachers often needed miles of extension cords which were neither safe nor practical.

Principal Kay Helbing knew for a long time what was needed. Over the course of several years, she lobbied School Board members, and anyone who would listen. "We need walls, doors, and windows," she campaign. Finally, persistence paid off. With the passage of the tax levy some months ago, the Board could budget the more than $900,000 it would require to completely renovate and remodel the school. "We didn't have to touch the Gym or front office spaces," explains Finance Director for the District, Joe Link. "Now teachers and students can get on with learning, and the interesting thing is," explains Joe, "the interior of the school appears to have more useable space."

Chris Wand, architect on the project with Durrant Group, explains: "White walls reflect the light better, and it brightens up the entire interior. And without the freestanding book cases teachers were using as makeshift walls, it also appears we have more interior room, and in reality, we have more useable and functional room."

Among the long list of thank yous to everyone who had anything to do with the project, Kay Helbing made a special thank you to the builders who managed to finish the project two days ahead of schedule. Kluck Construction was on hand to receive a standing ovation for the fast but quality work they made of the project. And from what we heard, it was also under budget.

"It's like a brand new school," said School Board member Donna Bauerly. "And to think we got it for such a bargain when you think about it."