Dan Lalone
Contributing Writer

(Photo by Dan Lalone)

Excitement is building at Dimondale Elementary as the school prepares for a major transformation. After years of planning and community support, the Holt Public School District is in the process of constructing a brand-new Dimondale Elementary School. The project, which began with a bond initiative in 2019, gained approval in 2020, and construction officially started in May 2024.

Principal Mrs. Barker, who has been at Dimondale for seven years, has witnessed firsthand the growing challenges of the current building, which was constructed in 1952. “We’ve outgrown this space,” Mrs. Barker said, noting the struggles with outdated electrical systems, inefficient HVAC units, and outdated technology. The new building is being constructed on the site of the old playground, with a new state-of-the-art playground installed in August 2024. A temporary asphalt path now connects the old building to the new playground, providing students a safe outdoor space while construction continues.

While the construction process has been largely on schedule, a brief delay occurred due to the installation of a new water tank for the fire suppression system. However, Mrs. Barker says that the project is on track, with the new school set to open next year.

The school will bid farewell to its historic building with an open house event on May 8, which is open to the public. This event will offer the community a chance to celebrate the memories made in the current building before it is demolished. The building has served students for over 70 years, but it is clear the time has come for a modern space that better meets the needs of students and staff.

“It’s been fun for the kids and staff to watch the progress and see what’s new today.” Mrs. Barker said.

The new building will feature a full-size gymnasium, which will also be available for public use. It will also include modern security features such as cameras and clear lines of sight for staff to monitor the parking lot, improving safety for students, staff, and visitors. Unlike the current building, which uses window air conditioning units — an inefficient and cumbersome solution — the new school will be equipped with a modern HVAC system for year-round comfort.

The new cafeteria is expected to be completed by spring break, allowing staff to begin moving supplies and equipment into the new facility. Mrs. Barker shared how creative staff have had to be with space in the old building, where the principal shares office space with the Dean of Students, and the Dean’s former office has been repurposed into another classroom.

Once the school year ends, staff will transition to the new building, and demolition of the old building will begin over the summer. The area where the current building stands will be transformed into a parking lot, making student drop-off and pick-up safer and more efficient.

“The new parking lot will make a big difference for our families,” Mrs. Barker said. “It will be safer and more convenient.”

With construction on track, the new Dimondale Elementary is set to open its doors for the start of the next school year. The final abatement of the old building will begin on May 22, marking the final step in this exciting transformation.