Nye School District to Replace Outdated Elementary School in Nevada
In a long-awaited move, the Nye County School District has announced plans to replace the aging Tonopah Elementary School in Nevada. The school, which has been in operation for 64 years and serves around 140 students, has been plagued with safety issues such as asbestos and damage from earthquakes.
Leslie Campos, a member of the Nye County School Board who resides in Tonopah, emphasized the urgent need for the school’s replacement due to its outdated facilities. She highlighted that the elementary school fails to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in various aspects, making it unsafe for students and staff.
Superintendent Joe Gent further explained that the current school building has outdoor stairs that often freeze during the winter months, posing a hazard to those using them. Despite these longstanding concerns, financial constraints had previously hindered the district from initiating the replacement project.
Construction of New Elementary School Underway
In May, the Nye County School District commenced construction on a new primary school to be located on the Tonopah High School campus, just a few minutes away from the existing elementary school. The high school, which accommodates approximately 160 students and was constructed in 1990, will also undergo renovations as part of the comprehensive project.
Gent expressed his excitement for the much-anticipated development, stating that it marks a significant milestone for the Tonopah community. The officials from the Nye County School District held an inaugural ceremony for the new Tonopah Elementary School on May 29, 2024, signaling the beginning of a new era for education in the region.
The construction of the new school is estimated to cost the district about $25 million and is projected to open its doors in early 2026. It will stand as the newest facility within the district in over a decade, providing students with modern and safe learning environments.
Challenges and Financing
Officials acknowledged that the district had aimed to construct a new school in Tonopah for nearly two decades but lacked the necessary funding until recent years. Ray Ritchie, the district’s chief financial and operations officer, explained that securing a bond for such projects requires demonstrating the financial capacity to repay it, akin to the process of obtaining a mortgage for homebuyers.
Gent highlighted the additional costs associated with building schools in rural areas like Tonopah compared to urban centers such as Las Vegas or Reno. Despite being the poorest county in Nevada, Nye County boasts unique assets like mining operations and a portion of the population from Pahrump, allowing for collaborative efforts in community development.
As students and staff transition to the new primary school, all elements of the old facility will be demolished except for the gymnasium and administrative building. Gent emphasized the sentimental value attached to the gymnasium within the community and proposed its potential use for sports competitions even after the rest of the structure is razed.
“When we began discussions about constructing a new elementary school, the community was resolute in preserving the gymnasium,” Gent stated. “We have made a conscious decision to safeguard this facility and ensure its longevity even as we dismantle the rest of the school.”
Seeking Inspirational Stories
Do you know of students or school staff whose success stories deserve recognition? Share your nominations by emailing reporter Rocío Hernández at [email protected]. Let’s celebrate the achievements and resilience within our educational community, highlighting the positive impact of initiatives like the Tonopah Elementary School replacement project.