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OPINION
I recently toured the new administration building for School District 8. It made me remember back to my first visit, and think about how the area has grown. The first administration office was in the Principal’s office at the school on Main Street. When the new high school was built on Santa Fe, at first it was in the building. Later an office was built on Alabama. When I first visited the district, this is where I went. There were probably five people working in the building. There were others who were still teaching at the High School most of the day! The staff included the Superintendent, an Assistant who also doubled as the personnel manager, the Food Service Director and a secretary. The Business Manager was still a teacher. the building was small, but friendly. It still stands, used by the city. I was told to watch, the district was expected to double its number in a few years. It took more than that, but indeed it took off. In the 1980’s as the schools all grew, so did the administration. The numbers seemed to increase every year. Soon the Superintendent had a couple assistants, and there was a Business Office and more people. There are more people of all varieties working for the district than there were students at Fountain Junior High in 1975! As the system grew, we thought the early 90’s were something. New schools were added, while the old ones changed. Fort Carson has fed our growth. Fountain Junior High became Aragon Middle School, and ten years ago it became Aragon Elementary. The new High School started as the sports center, and then the High School was built. The enrollment in the district doubled, and doubled again, and is heading for another. The new administration is a fine addition. The improvement is impressive, and built with the future in mind. The meeting room is larger than the old Admin Building! It is state of the art. I did not ask, but I bet they still have to use the High School auditorium to get all the teachers in one room! Fountain should be proud of the district. In Mrs. Walker they have a leader with her finger on the pulse of the district. I know her years with the district have given her a good look as her staff. I hope she is with us to see some of what she tells me is just over the horizon.
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