Construction complete, time to celebrate
Suzie Harrison
It had been years in the making, but well worth the wait.
Thurston Middle School and Top of the World Elementary School have
finally completed their improvements.
The schools received a portion of the $67 million in funds
appropriated between the four schools in the Laguna Beach Unified
School District to pay for work the work.
School officials, community members and city officials were on
hand to mark the occasion. The standing-room-only audience in the
newly built gymnasium regularly erupted with applause and cheers at
Thurston’s dedication.
“Are you glad the construction is over?” school board President El
Hathaway asked before thanking teachers, students and staff for their
patience while they endured the two and a half years of construction.
“None of this would have happened without Bob Whalen.” Hathaway
said. “He started the bond issue.”
In June 2001, the bond issue in the school district received an
81% vote in favor. Long-time Laguna Beach resident and chairman of
the bond committee, Bill Steel, was lauded for his hard work.
“Bill Steel raised hundreds of thousand for our school,” Hathaway
said. “He’s a very special guy.”
Each site was allocated a set amount and these dollars could not
transfer to another school.
“When we started planning this, sixth-graders were in second grade
at the time,” Whalen said. “It gives a sense of how long it takes to
plan this.”
Under the direction of Roxana Ward, the Thurston chorus performed
a heartfelt rendition of “Ode to Joy.”
Former Thurston Principal Chris Duddy, who is now at El Morro
Elementary School, endured the brunt of construction disruption at
Thurston. He received a standing ovation when he spoke to his former
students.
Following the ceremony, the Peer Assistant Leaders committee of
students gave tours of the new campus.
Board member Betsy Jenkins recalled that Top of the World school
was built in the ‘60s, and by the ‘90s she said it was funky and
outdated.
“Now the atmosphere is electric and you can feel the magic in the
air, the excitement,” Jenkins said.
Following the grand finale of bubble blowing by the students, the
student council gave tours of the campus, proudly smiling as their
school spirit shined through.
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