November 2024

This month’s Education Expedition took us to Alsea, a small district of fewer than 200 students nestled along the Alsea River halfway between Corvallis and the coast. This summer, the community saw their bond project come to fruition with a new vocational tech building, fully equipped with state-of-the-art tools for welding, woodworking, and more.

Superintendent Krista Nieraeth attributes much of this success to project managers Chris and Nancy Giggy from IMS, Alsea natives and seasoned school construction leaders. Their efforts brought together key community members, aligning the district’s needs with its budget, to deliver a CTE building on schedule for the 2024 school year.

When Nieraeth first arrived in Alsea, she learned about the “swimming pool,” a tongue-in-cheek description of the construction site at the front of the school. The hole in the ground, seasonally filled with rainwater, was an eyesore for a community wondering if its tax dollars were well-spent. Now, in place of the “swimming pool” stands a proud CTE building.

Nieraeth proudly led a tour of her K-12 school, stopping to greet each student by name as they eagerly approached her with stories. Alsea School is truly the hub of the community; the covered wooden bleachers overflow during six-on-six football games, and the hallways are lined with pictures of alumni dating back to the 1930s, with many students able to point to their ancestors on the walls.

As with many small districts, the ability to think outside the box is critical in bringing opportunities to the region. Nieraeth shared, “My hope is that this new building will allow us to think even more outside the box,” so Alsea students can have the same experiences as their counterparts in larger districts. “Being able to build something new for kids and our community that gives us enough spaces and places to expand knowledge will give [our students] the opportunity to feel like…their peers.”

As students filed into the new building, they eagerly began a new welding project. Though this is the first semester in the space, the students are already deep into learning new skills and are inspired by the community’s investment, wanting to keep it nice for generations to come.

With this building, Alsea has done more than replace a “swimming pool” of stalled dreams—they have filled it with purpose, transforming it into a foundation that will support the ambitions of every student who walks through its doors. It stands as a testament to the strength of a community that sees possibility beyond its size, reminding each student that their future is worth investing in and that, with the right support, they can build something lasting.

Click here to view the YouTube video of this months Education Expedition.