From left: Whitko School board member Georgia Tenney, Pierceton Chamber of Commerce President Bernadene Boggs, Kosciusko County Council Member Bob Conley, Superintendent Steve Clason, Whitko School board members Roger Boggs, Eric Trump, Joe Begley, Deb Collier, Jorrell Tucker and Principal Michael McClain.

PIERCETON — Citizens from all over Kosciusko County gathered at the new Pierceton Elementary school to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony, hear from keynote speakers and witness the new and much improved building for the first time.

The new library is outfitted with a Mimio touchboard and iPads for everyone.

The new building introduces the idea of one-to-one technology. There is one technological device for every student in the school. That means that every student will have access to a tablet, laptop or iPad to help foster education. Even with around 330 students, everyone is able enjoy the new technology and learn in a more streamlined fashion.

In addition to new technology for every student, every classroom is now equipped with a Mimio Interactive Touchboard. The new boards are highly interactive, and make use of the newest technology available.

Special Education teacher Julie Klepinger in her new and improved classroom.

When asked about the new additions and improvements to the school, every teacher’s eyes lit up. Julie Klepinger, the special education teacher said “Its been amazing. A lot of things were breaking in the old building, and its been nice to not worry about every little thing in the classroom. Its much easier to just focus on the kids.” Kelpinger believed that the transition and change might have been hard for some of her students, but so far, every reaction has been positive. “The kids love it, and the first thing they said was ‘wow!'”

Architect Adam Weesner, along with Barton-Coe-Villamaa out of Fort Wayne designed the school, but not by themselves. The teachers were all asked individually about what would make their rooms the best they could be. Every room in the new building was co-designed alongside teachers to ensure that students would have the best available space and tools to be able to learn.

While classes have begun and school is already under way, this is the first time there has been an open public event that anyone could come to. “Its been hectic, but phenomenal,” said new principal Michael McClain, of the transition to the new building. “Kids are kids, and they absolutely love it.”

Whitko Superintendent Steve Clason thanked everyone involved in the new building during his presentation.

Great schooling has been made much easier thanks to the new building and facilities, but McClain says he is more impressed that Pierceton got an “A” grading from the state of Indiana for three years in a row with a deteriorating facility. “The school as an entity, honestly, hasn’t changed very much because the teachers have always done so well.”

There to cut the ceremonial ribbon were Georgia Tenney, Bernadene Boggs, Bob Conley, Steve Clason, Roger Boggs, Jog Begley, Deb Collier, Jorrell Tucker and Michael McClain.

“Pierceton has had an illustrious past, and we are looking forward to the future,” said Superintendent Steve Clason during his presentation.

“We are here because Whitko care about children, and the most important resource we have is the people in this building, who devote their lives to the children.”