Touring the future
Salem City School District offers first look at K-8 building under construction
(Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The Salem City School District Saturday hosted the first public tours of the K-8 building under construction. Shown are City Councilwoman Sara Baer, left, and City Councilman Jim Harrington. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The Salem City School District Saturday hosted the first public tours of the K-8 building under construction. Gannon Smith, 7, signs his name on the wall of his future school building. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The Salem City School District Saturday hosted the first public tours of the K-8 building under construction. Jeran Frederick, 8, points out his father’s signature on the wall. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
(Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The Salem City School District Saturday hosted the first public tours of the K-8 building under construction. Shown are City Councilwoman Sara Baer, left, and City Councilman Jim Harrington. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The Salem City School District Saturday hosted the first public tours of the K-8 building under construction. Gannon Smith, 7, signs his name on the wall of his future school building. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
The Salem City School District Saturday hosted the first public tours of the K-8 building under construction. Jeran Frederick, 8, points out his father’s signature on the wall. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)
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SALEM -- The community received its first opportunity to see the Salem City School District's upcoming K-8 school building Saturday.
"It's been pretty amazing to see. We've had a really great turnout," Superintendent Jamie Kemats said.
The school district hosted tours at the construction site of the new school, which Project Architect Chris Bader and Project Executive Joe Swantek of Hammond Construction estimated was "about 50% complete" during a design preview in September. Kemats said the tours had received a positive response from the community, and that district staff, community visitors and families and students who will attend the school when it opens its doors for the 2027-2028 school year all participated in the tour. She also said that the construction is "about two weeks ahead of schedule.”
The tours began in the K-5 wing and guided attendees through one of the building's two gymnasiums and cafeteria, and out through the 6-8 wing. Attendees were able to enjoy refreshments including donuts and apple cider, and sign the inside of what will become one of the building's exterior walls once completed. High School Principal Todd McLaughlin estimated that between 50 and 75 people had already passed through the tour's mid-point within the first half hour, with a steady flow of attendees arriving through the morning.
Eight-year-old Jeran Frederick, who will attend third grade in the new school, said he was excited to tour the building and begin taking classes there. Jeran said his favorite part of the tour was seeing the gym where he and his friends "will be shooting hoops." He was also excited about the playground and outdoor sports spaces and asked McLaughlin all about them during the tour.
"I asked where we are going to play football," Jeran said.
Police Chief JT Panezott said he loved the new school, and that he'd enjoyed seeing students tour the building. He also said he felt the layout of the new school would be good for security, with a central entry point in its hub and wings that could be locked down and secured individually in the event of an emergency. He also noted that having a single centralized elementary building rather than multiple smaller schools could be patrolled more efficiently.
"This [school] is one of the best things to happen to this city. It's really been great seeing the kids walk around with their eyes all big looking at everything," Panezott said.
City Councilman Jim Harrington was also moved by the new building, reflecting on his role campaigning for the levy which funded the construction, which he has previously cited as part of his inspirations to run for city council. Harrington said that he was happy to see so many children touring their future school, which he said is a special opportunity that few receive. He said that he has never forgotten walking through Southeast Elementary while it was under construction when he was their age.
"I love it. This is an unbelievably impressive building, and Salem is incredibly fortunate. I'm so proud of our city for doing this. I remember going door-to-door for [the levy] and it's been absolutely remarkable to see what has come of it," Harrington.