NILES — Last summer, students at Ring Lardner gathered outside the middle school for a ground-breaking ceremony commemorating the beginning of bond construction.

A little more than a year later, Ring Lardner students gathered at the school again to celebrate the completion of the construction during a rededication ceremony at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The school was dedicated on behalf of the students and faculty.

Prior to cutting through a ribbon to commemorate the newest features of the school, several school officials addressed the crowd of more than 100 students and residents.

Superintendent Dan Applegate said construction completion was the start of a new path for Niles students.   

“I am excited to take this opportunity to formally congratulate the teachers, students and staff,” Applegate said. “This is really a new and exciting chapter for the students and I am optimistic about the direction you are heading.”

Applegate thanked the community for supporting the construction projects that have helped to update schools across the district, most of which are at least 60 years old.

In 2015, voters passed the $40 million construction bond, which initiated a number of security and technology upgrades to schools across the Niles district.

As a result of the bond, Ring Lardner students received four new classrooms, brand new furniture, air conditioning, heating equipment, HVAC upgrades, new flooring, technology features, infrastructure, windows and doors and security upgrades including new fire alarms.

Niles Community School District Board of Education Vice President Dana Daniels said the feedback he had heard from students was positive.

“We want to thank you, tell your parents and neighbors thank you for allowing us to do this,” Daniels said. “We hope it makes a big difference to our students, our staff, our administrators and everyone else.”

Principal Adam Burtsfield said being able to welcome students to the new construction features was a great start to the school year.

“I keep hearing, ‘oh my goodness, this furniture is so amazing. It doesn’t smell old in here anymore,’” Burtsfield said.

According to Burtsfield, Ring Lardner was built in 1964. Before construction, Langmeyer said a need for upgrades was apparent in the “overall vibe” of the school. With the updates, the school now has an optimal learning environment for its students.

Three students who spoke during the ceremony built upon the positive feedback. Students who spoke included sixth-grader Jolie Ryan and eighth graders Zaine Fisk and Tanyah Ellis.

“It means we have new things and things that we are excited to take care of,” Ellis said. 

After the speakers, Ellis aided school leaders in snipping through a red ribbon at the threshold of the gym.

Construction on other area schools is expected to continue. Construction bids on Eastside Connections School will be sought this fall.