Blanding Elementary School is officially open following a community ribbon-cutting and tour held on August 3. The event marked a major milestone for San Juan County.
Medicine man Nathan Brady led a traditional house blessing to honor the land and community during the event. During remarks, Dr. Christine Fitzgerald noted the building features more than 170 doors, suggesting that when one door closes, another always opens for students.
The new 87,000-square-foot facility replaces a building dating from 1955. The school includes dedicated spaces for STEM learning, special education, and preschool through fifth grade. The design incorporates cultural awareness into the layout and uses a color palette inspired by the nature of San Juan County.
Additional features of the facility include a large gymnasium with seating for 600 people and separate, safer drop-off loops for buses and parents.
The $47 million project was made possible through various contributions, including a $20 million state appropriation. Students are scheduled to start classes soon.
