Chatfield Senior High School rededicated with $26 million worth of improvements

In 1985 Chatfield Senior High School opened its doors for the first time.

The high school was dedicated and a commitment was made that the school would always be a model of excellence and a bridge to the future -- which, according to Chatfield Senior High School Principal Keith Mead, included brand new copy machines and Apple 2 computers.

Technology has since changed and, recently, so has the look of the school in unincorporated Jefferson County, located at 7227 S. Simms St. Construction crews are wrapping up a $26-million makeover to the schoolthat was made possible through capital improvement bonds approved by Jefferson County voters in 2004. Construction began in February 2006.

The 270,575-square-foot improvement project to the school was designed to accommodate 2,100 students. It also includes a new classroom wing, bigger science classrooms, a bigger commons area, a new auxiliary gym, major auditorium improvements and new administrative offices, to name a few.

Many improvements were also made on the outside, including a bigger parking lot to accommodate more student parking along with two new sports fields - a practice field and a regulation soccer field.

The school was rededicated during a ceremony and open house Aug. 16. The ceremony was open to the public and many students and parents attended.

Jeffco Superintendent Cindy Stevenson, Community Superintendent Marcia Anker, Jefferson County Board of Education member Vince Chowdhury, county commissioner Kathy Hartman and District 22 State Sen. Mike Kopp also were in attendance.

The Chatfield High School marching band began the ceremony by playing the national anthem.

Mead opened the ceremony and emphasized the improvements to the building will help prepare the students for the future. He also thanked H+L Architects who helped come up with the new design and general contractor Haselden Construction.

"Because of them, this was all put in place," Mead said.

Sen. Kopp also addressed the audience, stressing the importance of preparing students for the future.

"It's a particularly complicated world we live in," Kopp said. "We need to prepare students for the future ... shaping keen intellects out of them. It's a powerful technical world out there. We must prepare our students to compete with vigor and confidence."

Chowdhury expressed that a higher level of excellence is always expected out of Jefferson County students.

"Our students are very capable of handling every cause," Chowdhury said. "You are prepared when you leave our schools."

Superintendent Stevenson thanked the students and the staff.

"Thank you Chatfield Chargers. Thanks to the staff and 22 years of excellence," she said. "Let's dedicate this school."

Stevenson and Kopp cut the ribbon in front of the new entrance to the school while the band played the school fight song and students clapped and sang along.

The students were also excited about the improvements to the school and the anticipated changes.

"It's exciting. It makes coming to school more fun," said junior Taryn Amerman.

Students were also excited about the new classrooms and said the building seems a lot cleaner and nicer. However, seniors may feel just as lost navigating the new layout as freshmen.

"Being a senior and not knowing your way around will be interesting," said senior Christine Comer.