New era begins at Mountain View Middle School

Construction completion makes dreams come true.

March 28, 2008 2:16 pm
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Bremerton Supt. Bette Hyde and school board President Cynthia Galloway hold the dedication plaque for the recently completed additions and upgrades to Mountain View Middle School during Tuesday’s dedication ceremony.
Bremerton Supt. Bette Hyde and school board President Cynthia Galloway hold the dedication plaque for the recently completed additions and upgrades to Mountain View Middle School during Tuesday’s dedication ceremony.

By CHARLES MELTON

Editor

Tuesday’s dedication ceremony at Mountain View Middle School in East Bremerton not only marked the official opening of new facilities, but the completion of more than two-and-a-half years of hard work and sacrifice by all those involved in the project.

“This has been a two to two-and-a-half year process for many of us,” MVMS principal Jerry Willson said as he was joined by deputy principal Michaeleen Gelhaus and assistant principals Scott Demianiw and Mary Tierney at the podium.

It took a great team effort to make the dreams for the new facilities to become realities as construction was completed in Dec. 2007, Willson said.

“If you want to accomplish your dream, you have to build your team,” Willson said. “I think we’ve done that with this project.”

The project involved upgrades to the main building including the library, computer lab, counseling center and the creation of fitness center and locker rooms for both sexes, and the construction of a new sixth grade building complete with classrooms, a music room, computer lab and gym.

“This is both a dedication and a thank you,” BSD Supt. Bette Hyde told the standing-room only crowd congregated in the second floor library.

The project wouldn’t have been possible had voters not stepped up and approved a revitalization bond in 2005, which also included funding for renovations at Bremerton High School, Hyde said.

“We wanted it to be a middle school, but we made it so that it could be converted to an East Side elementary school,” Hyde said.

Larry Gertmann of BLRB Architects of Tacoma, which designed the new facilities, said it was a pleasure working with the district on this particular project.

“It was great to work with you and I think you’ll like what you see,” Gertmann said.

The new additions and improved facilities have allowed the Mountain View staff to offer new programs and further enhance students’ educational experiences as they make the transition from elementary school to middle school and onto the high school level, Willson said.

“Thank you for your support, and we appreciate it,” Willson said.

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