Menu
Ribbon cutting officially opens McKenna school
by Michael Nowotny
Mountain Home News
Larry Slade, founder of the Richard McKenna Charter High School, welcomed several Mountain Home residents and dignitaries to the official ribbon cutting ceremony for their new school building on Thursday afternoon.
A project that took three years to develop, the school officially opened its doors last December. The school moved from its previous location at 1993 E. 8th North St. (sharing a building with the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor office) to the new 15,200 square-foot building located at 675 S. Haskett St.
The project cost $2.3 million dollars in both land and soft costs (architect fees and permits).
Slade was joined at the ribbon cutting by members of the school's board of directors and representatives from the various local businesses who aided in bringing the project together. Those businesses included Humel Architects, C2 Construction and U.S. Bank who helped finance the project.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, Slade took time to thank the board of directors, the businesses who took part in the project and the school's faculty.
"We are very grateful for the teachers and the staff, because regardless of the building, that is what makes the program, the relationship between the staff and the kids," said Slade.
Slade closed his speech by thanking the student body in attendance for the ribbon cutting.
"I just want to say thank you to the kids for committing themselves for coming to the school, we're proud of their behavior and appearance and we feel they represent us well in the community," said Slade.
Slade then asked Bob Roberts, chairman of the school's board of directors, to cut the ribbon. Before cutting the ribbon, Roberts acknowledged Slade for his efforts in bringing the project into fruition.
Following the ceremony, the guests and faculty were treated to refreshments provided by U.S. Bank.
In 1999, Richard McKenna Charter High School, a school that began as an alternative school, was named after Richard McKenna, a resident of Mountain Home and author of the acclaimed novel, "The Sand Pebbles."
Richard McKenna received its official charter from the State Charter School Commission in 2004.
Currently, Richard McKenna Charter High School consists of two programs, an on-line program and an on-site program.
The on-line program consists of 880 students, while the on-site program consists of 50 students from Mountain Home and the surrounding areas.
Over the last 15 years, Richard McKenna has graduated approximately 300 students. Last year, Richard McKenna graduated 92 students from the on-line program and approximately 30 students from the on-site program.