New School Dedicated, Doors to Open on Jan. 3

Principal Carol Tennebaum and staff.

By Ruth Lepper

Hanson Lane Elementary School staff members and students are scheduled to move into new quarters when school resumes after the winter break. The new school has been named Hanson Elementary School, dropping “Lane” now that it is located at the west end of Boundary Street, about one mile from its former location.

The new school was dedicated in a brief ceremony on Dec. 15. The construction of the school is expected to be completed before the move is made.

Although final figures are not in, construction has exceeded $18 million for the 68,000 square feet spread over two buildings. There are 36 classrooms plus multipurpose rooms that will accommodate the 675 students enrolled in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Cutting the ribbon dedicating Hanson Elementary School are, from left, Dr. Mike McCarty, board members Bill Cox, Bob Stoody, Bob Hailey, Dante Cosentino, Luan Rivera, superintendent Peter Schiff and Dr. Joe Annicherico. Dr. Robert Graeff (not shown).

“It’s a dream we’ve been looking on for a while,” said Pete Schiff, superintendent of Ramona Unified School District. “This has been a challenging project.”

Construction on the school started in November 2003 with funding approved by the state. Modified plans from a school in Orange County were used for the design of Hanson School. Changes were made to reflect suggestions and guidance from the school’s staff members.

Mike McCarty, assistant superintendent of administrative services, was in charge of the project. He has overseen the building of schools for 27 years, both in Alaska and California.

“This has been the toughest project I have ever been involved in,” he said, referring to delays during the six-year project.

“The state ran out of money in 2000 and the plans went in a drawer,” he said. “Then in 2002, the state got more money. We scampered to get back on the list.”

McCarty said it was an “interesting 14 months” while construction was under way, especially when the construction workers encountered a huge amount of rocks.”

“We had to go out and ask the ‘boom-boom boys’ to come out and blow it up,” he said. “That added an extra $100,000 to the work.” Improvements to Boundary Street are expected to be completed in early January, when the road will be paved.

The old Hanson Lane School will be demolished and a new school built to house Ramona Community School, which presently is located on Montecito Road.