LONE TREE

For a small school district like Lone Tree, spending three-quarters of a million dollars on improvements over the summer is kind of a big deal. But the improvements made were needed, and when the community returns on Aug. 23 for classes and athletics, they should find them worth it.

When entering the school from the main entrance, one might immediately notice new landscaping. What was grass and weeds is now a fresh set of rocks surrounding the lion mascot statue.

Inside, the PA and security systems have been upgraded, so all is in working order. The stage curtains open and close with ease. And, Superintendent Tyler Hotz says, “The best thing is air conditioning.” The much-needed HVAC system has been installed.

Outdoors, the track has been resurfaced, and new scoreboards for baseball and softball are ready to be installed as soon as the ground dries sufficiently.

Hotz is excited to begin the new year, not only because his son, the oldest of three children, will start kindergarten at Lone Tree this year, but also because all of the district’s leadership team is returning. “Just having the consistency” is a gift for students and staff, he says.

Although the school board chose not to adopt a four-day school week this year, the school will embark on 24-25 with a hybrid model, where almost every other Monday students will not have classes and staff will an additional day to transition from the weekend.

“There are a number of four-day weeks,” Hotz explains. “We were able to add a lot of professional development time for our staff.”

On those class-free Mondays, teachers will come in knowing, “I can just work with my colleagues, my peers, just be really focused on becoming a better educator today,” Hotz says, rather than having to jump right back into their next lesson plan.

Lone Tree’s Back to School Open House is Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23 is the first day of school and the first home football game of the season.