Homer Community School bond project on schedule, on budget, and reaches milestone point of construction completion.

Homer Community Schools’ bond project reached a major project milestone this month as the demolition of the existing school facility is nearing completion.  This makes way for the final phase of the planned renovation and construction as well as site development of the north parking lot.  Residents driving along Hillsdale Street since early spring have seen the district’s version of “spring cleaning” with the removal of windows and doors and ultimately the arrival of heavy equipment for the old building’s infrastructure removal.

  What people have not seen is the interior renovation work taking place as part of Phase II.  The new work includes renovations to the existing athletic hallway corridor, weight room, “Hall of Champions,” district administration areas, toilet rooms, and other support areas.  An alternate not originally contemplated in the bond program is the gymnasium brick veneer replacement project.  Due to unforeseen problems found in the cinder block construction from 1950’s, the originally planned scope of work needs to be revised to correct them and provide a great exterior system that will last. 

  The demolition process and Phase II scope of work is scheduled for completion in August 2013 in time to be turned over to the district before the start of school.  Phase II comes on the heels of the district successfully opening the new 65,000 square foot Phase I addition in December 2012 for the start of school in January 2013. 

 Currently the bond project is on budget creating opportunities for pricing alternates that can be considered if bids are favorable and additional unforeseen costs are not incurred.  Possible alternates include such things as elementary school playground work made necessary by the new construction, high school music room renovations, and replacement of the practice baseball field also used for summer recreation. 

In February of 2011, voters approved an $18,103,708 bond issue for additions and renovations to the District’s K-12 building.  Kingscott Associates is the architect of record. Wolgast Corporation is the construction manager for the project, and Plante Moran CRESA is the district’s owner representative.

Capture your Memories!  Yearbook Cost: $45.00

Nominations Sought for Homer’s ‘Teacher of the Year’

Homer Community Schools is collecting nominations from district employees, students, parents and community members, including school of choice families, for the 5^th Annual Florence Yost Teacher of the Year Award. Charles Angevine, class of 1952, in recognition of his favorite teacher, is sponsoring this award.

The nominee should be an exceptionally skilled and dedicated teacher in the Homer school system that is caring, hard-working, compassionate, mentor, master instructor, leader, motivator and engaging. This list is certainly not intended to be all encompassing and is only intended to be a guide. Please help us recognize Homer’s outstanding teachers. Eric Fogel, Melissa McKenna, Holly Blashfield and Michele Sharp are previous year awardees.

A committee will be given the task of selecting Homer Community Schools’ Teacher of the Year from the nominations received. The deadline for submitting nominations is May 1, 2013. Nominations can be mailed to Homer Community Schools, Selection Committee, 403 S. Hillsdale St., Homer, MI 49245 or dropped off at any school office. The form is also available at the superintendent’s office.

Florence Yost Teacher of the Year Award Nomination Form

School History

 The Homer Alumni Association has been chosen to be the exclusive contact and beneficiary of a limited number of bricks from the old school. If you are interested in a piece of Homer High history please contact La Donna at the Homer Public Library or by calling 568-7116, or contact Martha at the superintendent’s office at 568-4463. The cost is $5.00 each and does not include any shipping cost.