BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser/Register
Evangeline Middle School in New Minas passed a milestone with the start of the current school year.
September marked the first time in 18 years students and teachers didn't have to use a portable classroom.
Principal Bruce Ross explained the school opened in January 1989 as a Grade 6 school. The following year, it expanded to Grade 7 and the year after Grade 8 was added.
When Grade 8s from the old Horton District High moved to EMS, it created an overcrowding problem, so four portable classrooms were brought in and attached to the school.
The portables remained part of the school community until a new four-classroom addition was completed this summer.
"It looks great," Ross said. "It alleviates the problem of overcrowding and replaces the four portables. We all felt it was long overdue, and we're really happy it's now completed."
During construction, the portables were relocated to be freestanding structures on the school property.
"Four classes had to move back and forth, which was less than an ideal situation," Ross said.
With the addition now complete, the portables have been removed altogether.
Ross said the portables were never intended to be a permanent solution, and "a number of groups have advocated over the years for an addition to the school to get rid of them."
Among those active in lobbying for the addition were school board member Charlene Davies and a succession of PTSA chairpersons.
"In February of this year, we broke ground on our new addition. Roscoe Construction did the work, and they did a great job. There was next to no interference with teaching and learning while the work was underway."
The addition consists of four state-of-the-art classrooms, all featuring the latest in technology, new student and staff washrooms, student lockers and heating and electrical rooms.
As for the teachers who were affected, they are naturally pleased, and very happy with their new space.
Teacher Dale Bentley, who came to Evangeline from Horton with the original Grade 8s, "went right into one of the four portables, and was there for 18 years. Now she has her own new classroom," Ross said.
