(photo by Kasey Wyatt)

     October 12, 2007: Eatonville High School Construction Manager Kasey Wyatt, took this shot of a double rainbow over the part of South Hall (at left) that will be torn down during the construction modernization, right before the ground breaking ceremony Wednesday, October 10, 2007. Rain was falling most of the day and many were worried about a drenched occasion, but  Mother Nature obliged by stopping the rain for the duration of the ceremony.

     Eatonville High School Principal Garth Steedman presented Cruiser Blue hard hats and shovels to the eleven dignitaries in preparation for the ceremonial groundbreaking. Here he hands the hat to Superintendent Ray Arment. Steedman said he was "honored to be  master of ceremonies for this group," He thanked voters for passing the bond which allows for the renovation of the schools.
     The ceremonies began in the high school library which has been readied for the work that will start soon. Empty stacks and boxed books are silent reminders of the enormous project which lies ahead. 

                                                                               (photo by Bob Walter)

     Superintendent Raymond F. Arment, III, addressed those gathered in the nearly empty library. Arment looked around and said, "Thank every one of you for being here. You were here when we needed you." He spoke of the big changes coming to the schools and how the future of education will touch generations. Arment noted that some of the kids who would benefit from the modernization "haven't been born yet and some of their parents haven't been born yet." Arment also explained the renovation would "pump a lot of money into the community," with the "need for various trades."
     School Board of Directors President Tim Patterson told how it took eight previous efforts to pass the bond, and thanked those who were "previous bond supporters." Patterson took the opportunity to express his gratitude to board member Bob Homan, who has "volunteered for many years to benefit our kids." Homan has worked tirelessly to get levies and the bond passed.
     Patterson also gave thanks to Alex Doe who produced a video as his senior project. The video was shown to many groups in the school district and Patterson said it "really helped get the word out." To view the video please see  images/Bob/SchoolBond.wmv 
     Other speakers included State Senator Marilyn Rasmussen, a former member of the school board, who noted that she and school Maintenance Director Dan Dawkins were on the board at the same time. And Eatonville Elementary School came into being during that time. Rasmussen also told the group that all seven of her children graduated from Eatonville High and stressed the importance of "family."
     State Representative Jim McCune said Eatonville was one of his favorite towns and added, "I like small towns and rural areas." McCune also said, "The state needs more schools...and you have a neat superintendent running the show who is keeping costs down."
 

                                                                                                            (photo by Bob Walter)

     Let the groundbreaking begin for the modernization of Eatonville's High School. The happy diggers are, from left to right: School District 404 Superintendent Ray Arment; school board member Kirk Heinz; board member Bob Homan; State Senator Marilyn Rasmussen; board President Tim Patterson; Eatonville Mayor Tom Smallwood; board member Bruce Lachney; board member Dr. Bob Miller; board Student Representative Laura Severson; State Representative Jim McCune and John Erickson, architect - Erickson McGovern.

                                                                                             (photo by Bob Walter)

      Students of the present and the future gathered around Laura Severson, liaison between students and the school board. The youngsters pictured above, and hundreds more, will be the beneficiaries of the school modernization/renovation. After the happy ceremony most people went back to the library for a reception. 

                                                                                                                                (photo by Bob Walter - Labor Day 2007)

     September 5, 2007: This photo depicts the lull before the storm of activity which will break the peaceful setting when renovations of the historic, brick, high school buildings begins this fall. The renovations are projected  to take two years.
     There are some concerns about the old maple trees which border the campus. ENN asked Superintendent Ray Arment if "rumors" of the trees being cut down were true. He answered, "This one is partially true. As part of the construction design and permitting we were required to have an arborist inspect the trees.
    "The arborist identified four that were diseased and unlikely to survive. Of the four one is particularly in bad shape. I said no to the three, but will accept the arborist's recommendation on the worst one. The one tree is the third one down from the district office."
      Superintendent Arment noted the arborist's report is available for review at the district office. He added, "This is painful...cutting the old maple trees down was never in any plans."
      The exact age of the trees are unknown. Some were planted later than others. A photograph in the 1936 Cruiser High School Annual shows one tree which is very healthy, large and thriving. See below.

Maple Tree in 1936

                                                                                              (photo by Bob Walter - Labor Day 2007)

     The gnarled roots on one the old maple trees. Soon enough they will begin to change color and put on a great show. Watch them.

     This brick building pictured above was the original high school which was dedicated April 29, 1916. Burton W. Lyon was superintendent at the time. He, and the school board, were very progressive for that era and Eatonville was famous throughout the state for its commitment to education. They wanted a school "second to none for the children..." The dedication of the school was important enough that Governor Earnest Lister attended the day-long celebration.
     According to the History of Tacoma Eastern Area by Jeannette Hlavin and Pearl Engle, "Mr. Lyon submitted a plan which was adopted, and which Dr. E. O. Holland, president of Washington State College, said was twenty-five years ahead of it's time." Dr. Holland also gave the dedication address. The football field and track are named for B. W. Lyon.
     The word "truth" is above the entrance door to what is now known as North Hall. Lyon said, "Truth was carved in stone and is not easily changed." At the time the school building was dedicated the faculty consisted of twelve people. Today the School District 404 employs one-hundred certificated (officially documented) teachers and seventy-five classified staff.
     Susie Van Eaton and Edward Christensen were the first graduates of Eatonville High School. There is no photograph of the two as Christensen said it would look like a wedding photo and refused to allow the historic moment to be captured.
     School board members during the time were: E. L. Howard, Chair N. P. (Pete) Christensen and C. C. Biggs. Today's elected board of directors are: Bob Miller, Bob Homan, Kirk Heinz, Tim Patterson and Bruce Lachney with Superintendent Ray Arment as secretary.

     School Renovation Update 

     Renovation of the high school buildings is a huge project which has been needed for years. For an update on the project please see Renovation Update

State Auditor's Report - District 404