Wherry Elementary construction

The east side of Wherry Elementary School, a building that was is 63 years old, being demolished to make way for a two-story building that will house 18 classrooms, a computer lab and kitchen. A Department of Defense grant to remodel or rebuild aging schools is being used to pay for construction. (Photo by Ryan Stark)

Renovations underway at Wherry Elementary

Published July 15, 2015
By Ryan Stark
Nucleus writer

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Demolition work that is part of major renovations to Kirtland's Wherry Elementary School is visible to anyone entering Kirtland's Gibson gate, and more signs of
progress are on the way.

Wherry's principal, Rhonda McGee, said members of the school community are getting excited as old parts of the school come down.

"There's something about a brand-new building that is exciting for a school, a neighborhood and a community," she said. "And it's exciting for the whole base community, too."

The buildings being demolished were constructed in 1952, McGee said. They will be replaced by a two-story building with 18 classrooms and a computer lab. A new, kindergarten-only pick- up area -- allowing smaller students to stay away from busy traffic -- and a larger kitchen with all-new appliances are also among the additions coming soon.

The renovations are funded by a $16.25 million grant from U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment meant to update public school facilities on
or near military installations.

Before the renovation, a DOD list of base schools in need ranked Wherry eleventh, nationally. Wherry will go from 16 to 18 classrooms, which one of the terms of
the DOD funding.

"We're so excited and honored to be getting this new building," McGee said.

The new building is in the first phase of construction at Wherry. The second phase will begin in 2016 and will include construction of a new library -- about twice the size of the current library -- and administrative offices.