Letter: Thanks to all who contributed to school

The Meeker School Board has many to thank for their contributions to the new elementary school and its opening celebration. The taxpayers are on the top of the list for making this and the improvements at the high school and middle school possible. The learning environment in the new building and the improved conditions in the other two buildings are exceptional.
We truly appreciate ExxonMobil’s generous donation to our future. They have fully equipped a state-of-the-art science classroom as well as provided a science/mathematics coach for our new school. We urge you to visit the school to see the science classroom and the SMART boards, which Exxon has provided for the classrooms. You’ll need to visit with our elementary staff in order to appreciate the professional development they’ve been afforded and the scope of ExxonMobil’s gift to our students’ education.
Also we are very grateful also to ConocoPhillips, Williams Energy and Encana, which came to our rescue in the spring of 2008. They generously provided two temporary modular classrooms, which added critically needed space to the old elementary school. The energy industry has stepped up, repeatedly, to fill our needs — and for this we’re very grateful. Thank you all.
Many local entities have gone the extra mile for our district, too. Rio Blanco County, the town of Meeker, the Meeker Sanitation District and the Eastern Rio Blanco Recreation and Parks District have given a great deal of time and cooperated in many ways. They’ve facilitated easements, donated land and provided access to the school. The Natural Resource Conservation Service provided many trees (including a windbreak) for the new building; and White River Electric Association set the transformer, brought in the new feed for the new building as well as hooked up the temporary modular classrooms. We wholeheartedly thank you all.
The Aug. 23 open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new elementary school would not have been such a successful celebration without the meal provided by the Meeker Lions Club. We’re told they fed more than 500 people in less than 50 minutes that evening. Thank you, Lions, for your continued support of our district and for making Aug. 23 a memorable evening.
Our local VFW Post 5843 has generously provided American flags for every classroom in the new school as well large ones for the flagpole outside the main entrance and one in the school’s gymnasium. Thank you for this large and meaningful gift. We also thank the VFW for presenting the colors, which appropriately opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the 23rd. The VFWs ongoing commitment to our schools is significant and greatly appreciated.
We’re honored to receive an engraved cornerstone for the new school from the Rio Blanco Masonic Lodge No. 80. Sitting underneath the stone is a sealed time capsule containing many documents and pictures. Thank you so much. On Thursday, Aug. 26, members of the Grand Lodge of Colorado A.F.& A.M. were joined by our local lodge for a cornerstone laying ceremony, which was specifically designed for students. We extend our special thanks to the Rio Blanco Lodge 80 and the Grand Lodge of Colorado for facilitating such a memorable event and involving so many of our students. It was a rewarding, learning experience for us all.
We urge you to visit your new school and see an exhibit depicting the history of Meeker Elementary School in the commons area. A dedicated group of retired teachers is responsible for putting this display together. Thank you, ladies.
The contributions, collaboration and ongoing support of these groups and other individuals — too many to list — is testimony to how well Meeker supports its youth. Thank you one and all. The new Meeker Elementary School, which you have provided is exceptional.
Meeker School Board members
Mindy Burke, Ed Coryell, Bill de Vergie, Iris Franklin, Paul Neilson, Jerry Oldland and Mary Strang