The best thing so far about the new Alamosa Alternative and Online School is the pride of the students. Rebekah Johnson, principal of the new school, noticed it immediately when the students walked the hallways and settled into their downtown space this week.
“The students feel like this was done for them. They feel proud to be here,” Johnson said as community members toured the newly remodeled building located on Main Street and San Juan Avenue.
An open house that saw everyone from Adams State President David Tandberg to Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman to local downtown merchants who were curious to see inside was a smashing success if you’re seeing it through the eyes of Alamosa School Superintendent Diana Jones.
She stuck her neck out when she convinced the Alamosa School Board to purchase the building for $2.3 million through the bankruptcy proceeding of Friday Health Plans. The school district then spent around $1.3 million to remodel the 22,436-square foot, two-story building, according to school officials.
For a total of $3.6 million the Alamosa School District netted itself a prime downtown location and a complete remodel of top floor offices for the superintendent and administrative staff and new classrooms among other amenities on the bottom floor for its growing alternative and online school.
There will also be a new retail space at the front of the building to meet the requirements of the city council to keep retail in prime locations downtown.
“I’m just so thrilled,” said Jones as the crowded open house saw students and families mingle with the business and leadership crowd.
She did a celebration dance with Adrian Ramirez, who led the construction project for the school district, during the open house, and coaxed Assistant School Superintendent Luis Murillo to join in.
After all, it was a week for celebrating.