Celebrating the Completion of Hayfork School Campuses

This spring, and after five years from start to finish, the community of Hayfork is celebrating the new facilities at the high school and the elementary school. The project started in 2017 when mold was first discovered on the two campuses, but finally came to an end in 2022.

How the Rebuild Went

With the discovery of mold on the campuses, the school and school board knew they needed to remodel the campuses to ensure the health and safety of all students, staff, and community members. Starting off, the project was bumpy as the schools had a hard time proving to the state and government that the district and Hayfork’s community could not afford the remodel alone.

Measure J, a bond of nearly $6 million was granted to the schools by the Hayfork community through a ballot initiative that received a 65% voter approval. The bond was needed in order to get the state to meet the rest of the remaining funds, in what was originally estimated at a total price tag of $17 million, which included the bond.

According to MVUSD Superintendent and HHS Principal Anmarie Swanstrom, Measure J did not cover all the costs and the school had to begin spending the provided federal government funding first. Many people were involved in the funding process for the school’s remodel including the Division of the State Architect and the Office of Professional and Continuing Education. When it comes to this type of funding, the government can’t hand out money “for free” but rather had to insure that all construction met certain state requirements and codes.

Swanstrom and MVUSD Plant Manager Kenny Pickett described the many meetings, long email conversations, on-site hours, old paperwork—and finding of said old paperwork—and many hours spent meeting with contractors and teams regarding any questions and/or issues with the builds. It was very difficult to plan out spending and even being able to secure pay for the workers, as the school had no information on when all the funding would be available.

There were many other difficulties such as being remote and having to pay contractors and staff to work away from home and stay in the area. Weather challenges arose as the builds took over five years. The Monument Fire sent contractors and other helpers into a frenzy as they had to finish the builds but also keep their safety in play as the fire grew closer.

When asked about any advice he would give to any other school trying to rebuild, Pickett responded with, “Plan, plan, plan. Try to get all the unforeseen things out of the way. Problems will come up once you start digging into the construction that were not in the original plan. Go into the project with a good plan and a good team.”

The Finished Product

Both schools are now officially finished five years after the start of the projects. The remodel consisted of adding a new kitchen to each of the campuses. At Hayfork Elementary that also meant creating a separate area for the gym and cafeteria, so that the cafeteria was no longer in the gym space. “The cafeteria is the most amazing room,” said HES Teacher Sunday Stanley.

The new facilities are breathtaking, as noted by many teachers and admin. “It is important that not only the kids but the whole community cares for the new campuses,” said HES Teacher Kent Cox, adding, “Our campuses finally compare to bigger schools, such as the ones in Redding and Sacramento. We have been given a gift, and the community needs to take care of it.”

“[The] community can be proud of the accomplishments and the facilities,” said HHS Teacher Robert Drain. “The facilities will last a long time if everyone takes care of them.”

According to many MVUSD staff members, the process of the rebuild, how both campuses turned out, and even how they will be taken care of show how strong the Hayfork community is. Staff also expressed how the community is welcome and should take full advantage of not only the new kitchens but other facilities, such as the new gyms.

“The most successful part of the rebuild would be the gym and the locker rooms because they are nicer,” said Hayfork High Athletic Director and Teacher Mike Miller. “The way they put the bleachers in really utilizes the space. A lot of people use the gym besides just the high school, such as sports, the community and even AAU Basketball teams.”

The new gyms allow athletes to compete again in a home gym rather than playing away or traveling to Weaverville. The new gyms give a space for students to find their love toward sports. “The new gym really helped with the K-8 physical education part of the curriculum and for the ASPIRE athletic programs,” said HES Teacher Wendy Armagnac. “The kids are loving it.”

Sunday Stanley added that the new gym is certainly a favorite at the elementary school, “The gym is just amazing, it sparkles. I almost cried seeing the growth.” Other favorites of the new schools are the bathrooms, locker rooms, and the modern feel of the schools as a whole.

The office at Hayfork Elementary has gained many compliments in its new layout and conference room. Also a big win at the elementary school that students seem most excited about is the new playground. “As a parent,” Sunday Stanley said, “I like that we have a [new and improved] playground the kids can use.”

For Hayfork High, another new space is the Agricultural Department facilities and shop, which have opened even more opportunities for students that have and will continue to produce great products. “The new shops are very nice,” said Hayfork High Junior Trenton Haight, an active AG and FFA student. “We are very lucky to have the opportunity to use the shops at Hayfork High School.”

Kaden Lee, another Hayfork High Junior added, “I like the new shop room and I enjoy working in the shop.”

The Feedback

Now that they are finished, many feel that students have been brought back together. As stated by Swanstrom, staff members and students, there is a better environment and school has started to truly feel like a school again. Swanstrom stated specifically that the new facilities overall have brought the students together and instilled a new, but very much needed sense of pride.

“The school in all feels better,” said HHS Junior Charlie Vang.

The staff of Hayfork High School and Hayfork Elementary had a lot of positive feedback about the new facilities. All the staff feel everything is finally returning back to “normal” and are very appreciative of the new schools. Swanstrom spoke on the new schools in comparison to the ones she taught in, “The maintenance staff is doing a great job at taking care of the facilities. It is in much better shape than the school was in 2001.”

Both schools received updated classrooms full of new technology. “These new buildings and improvements have brought [the district] into the 21st century,” said Valley High Teacher Lorna Trinidade, expressing her gratitude for the projects. “The necessary protocols have been installed to make everyone safe, both students and staff. I have noticed the students are happier to come to school in the new facilities. If we have a safe, clean and supportive environment, whether at home or school, we do better emotionally, physically and cognitively.”

Many of the teachers agreed that the new technology added to the classrooms, both at the elementary and high school, since it assists with being able to adequately teach the students. “The technology is a very big improvement,” said HHS Teacher Robert Drain. “The big TV’s are very handy and make teaching easier.”

Collectively, the staff agreed that the new facilities have helped increase a feeling of honor and gratification in the students. “The pride the students felt when the project was completed—that was the most successful part,” Armagnac said.

Teachers have stated that the new layouts of facilities and the classrooms have made it easier to interact with students. “Technology is a big component because it allows us to teach and for the kids to learn,” said Sunday Stanley.

With the new facilities, teachers have noticed that the students have a stronger motivation to be in school and are excited to learn. “My first year teaching at Hayfork High, I was lucky enough to teach in the new classrooms and take advantage of the clean slates on the stage and computer lab as well,” said HHS Teacher Joanne Tucker. “This year we were even able to start a new media class utilizing all the new technology and could even integrate the technology like the big TVs into our play production.”

Most feel the overall environment has improved since the rebuilds as people start to enjoy and feel pride in the schools again. “The environment is more comfortable as opposed to the days when we had to deal with hot, wet air being blown in,” Cox said.

Drain agreed with Cox about the improved HVAC and ventilation systems, “[The remodel] made teaching more comfortable with the air conditioning system because the old building did not have air conditioning. Teaching in the spring and summer is now more comfortable.”

The school rebuild was strictly in the best interest and safety of all past, present and future students. Many students agreed that the environment “feels more alive” now that the facilities are done. Junior HHS Student Joshua Howard added, “[The new campuses] make me think more positively about the school.”

HHS students were asked about their favorite part of the rebuild and most responded with “the new gym.” However, when asked about what piece of the new schools was needed the most, students were split. Alexis Smith, Braden Stanley, Lila Bonfoey, and Taylor Guilfoile, for example, were all in agreement that the new AG shop was the most needed. HHS Freshman Braden Stanley stated, “My favorite part of the new school is the new AG shop.”

Other statements include: “The quad because everyone comes out there on nice days,” said HHS Junior Lilly Napier and, “All of it,” said Senior Madison Balbini.

Students at both schools are enjoying the new campuses and have begun to feel excitement while attending school. “It’s beautiful and I am so happy to be able to be in high school with a new campus,” Napier said.

Senior Alexis Smith, like all the seniors who spent a lot of time in the portables during the construction, appreciated moving into the new facilities that much more: “When I first got here, we were in portables and more than half of the school was blocked off by fencing. Now that the projects are finally finished, it feels like a better place and overall environment.” She added that the new locker rooms help provide more privacy for changing during sports activities and that it’s great to have the quad back as a place for students to hang out and eat.

“Even though it took so long, the new facilities are great,” Howard said.

Charlie Vang put all the changes to the new schools in a short, succinct statement: “It feels good. Very fancy.”

While students have expressed their joy and love for the new campus, Braden Stanley added, “I think the new remodel is wonderful but even without it, the school would have been nice.”

A Final ‘Thank You’

From not knowing if the schools were going to shut down because of the lack of funding to then crossing the finish line and completely remodeling both campuses five years later, the growth of the schools and the Hayfork community is “outstanding,” as stated by many staff including Swanstrom.

Swanstrom would like to say to the Hayfork community that she is very appreciative of their understanding, patience and support. She said that the outcome of both schools is extremely positive.

Pickett added that the district, “would also like to thank the students for their patience and understanding during this process. It's been a long and arduous few years, in which students have had classes in portables and had to be transferred to and from campuses for gym use. Also, dealing with the noise and clutter as we worked our way through these rebuilds. Thank you.”