A fresh face for Philomath HS

PHILOMATH, Ore. -- Hundreds gathered on the front steps of Philomath High school Saturday morning as senator Ron Wyden officiated a ribbon cutting, signifying the official opening of the school's renovated halls that will house the 2012-13 school year.

The Philomath School District invited students and family members to tour the remodeled building a week before classes start back up. The projects took workers 15 months to complete. Philomath Schools Superintendent Dan Forbess said that the renovations were aimed at making the aging school building into an environment better suited for learning.

"The older facilities aren't wired and ready to support that level of learning climate. What we have now is  21st century education environment." Forbess said.

Renovations included a new two-story classroom wing, a gymnasium, a commons area and some smaller remodel projects that had a total cost of more than $24,000,000. All of the Philomath HS renovation projects were funded by a bond ballot.