Quick Take:
The opening of the new Lebanon Junior High School will trigger a realignment of the district's school buildings, with the old junior high becoming an intermediate school for 5th and 6th graders after renovations.
Over four years after plans got underway to alleviate district-wide overcrowding, the Lebanon School District yesterday cut the ribbon on its new $62 million junior high school, adjacent to Lebanon High School on South 8th Street.
Starting this fall, the new building will educate about 900 7th- and 8th-graders, and result in the realignment of grade levels in city schools, from 8th grade down to kindergarten.
Ground was broken for the 145,000-square-foot building in September 2022. The building was paid for from the district’s cash reserves and COVID pandemic relief funds. No debt was incurred and property taxes were not raised.
The school’s opening in just under a month will set off an eventual realignment of the district’s school buildings:
- 9th through 12th graders will continue to attend Lebanon High.
- 7th and 8th graders will attend the new Lebanon Junior High School.
- After about a year of renovations, the old Lebanon Junior High School on North 8th Street will become an intermediate school serving 5th and 6th graders.
- The city’s five elementary schools – Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Henry Houck, and Harding – will then serve kindergartners through 4th graders.
Before building tours commenced, several district administrators spoke to about 100 students, parents, district employees, and local dignitaries outside the main entrance.
Superintendent Dr. Nicole Malinoski thanked attendees for being there “as we celebrate this milestone together. It is a day of joy and reflection,” she said, “as we look forward to a bright future for our students and our community.”
Junior high school principal Nicholas Bullock said that “our dedicated staff and faculty are ready to support and challenge our students. We believe in fostering a love for learning, promoting critical thinking, and encouraging our students to be active and engaged members of our community.”
School board president Robert Okonak began his remarks solemnly by remembering late district superintendent Dr. Arthur Abrom, who passed away last September after a nine-year fight against cancer.
Read More: Lebanon superintendent Arthur Abrom dies after nine-year battle with cancer
Recalling groundbreaking on Sept. 28, 2022, Okonak said, “I can still see the sparkle in the eyes of our late superintendent … and the enthusiasm in his voice.”
“That enthusiasm,” he continued, “represented the vision and foresight needed to support months of preparation necessary for the district to move forward on this project. I know Arthur would be proud of this learning environment, and I can feel his presence today.”
Turning to the future, Okonak said that “this junior high is more than a building. Our new school represents a community’s dedication to its use, and symbolizes our unwavering belief in the potential of every child who is going to walk through these doors.”
After remarks were concluded, those in attendance were invited inside, where faculty members and administrators conducted small group tours.
Two immediately obvious features of the two story building were the spacious common areas and the abundance of natural light flooding from windows everywhere, including into every classroom.
The school’s gymnasium will hold about 1,400 fans, slightly more than the gym at the current Lebanon High School. There is a spacious weight room attached.
The cafeteria is wired for sound and video, and features wave-like red and blue acoustic panels on the ceiling.
Read More:
- (June 2024) Junior High School to open for Lebanon’s 7th, 8th graders this 2024-25 school year
- (September 2023) Lebanon superintendent Arthur Abrom dies after nine-year battle with cancer
- (April 2023) Fast-growing Lebanon School District gives us a look at middle school progress
- (September 2022) Ground broken for new Lebanon Middle School in plan to reduce overcrowding
- (August 2022) Inflation forces Lebanon School District to review expansion plans
- (June 2022) Lebanon School District targets Aug. 15 opening for new middle school bids
- (October 2021) Lebanon School District gives more details on building plans to address overcrowding
- (August 2021) Lebanon School District plans to put $40 million building on high school campus
- (June 2021) Lebanon School District will conduct town hall on building projects
- (June 2020) Lebanon School District eyes Lebanon Catholic as way to add extra space
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