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MILFORD — Students, staff and community members gathered at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 30 to celebrate the opening of the new Milford Elementary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighting the building’s role in student learning and community investment.
The event included remarks from school, community and project leaders before students participated in a schoolwide ribbon-cutting celebration.
Principal Michael Casey welcomed attendees, noting the building had already been in use for about two weeks before the formal ceremony.
“We didn’t want the newness to wear off without celebrating,” Casey said. He described the building as a reflection of staff dedication and a space designed for current and future students.
Milford Town Council President Doug Ruch followed with community remarks, emphasizing the broader significance of the project.
“This school represents more than the opening of a building,” Ruch said. “It is a commitment to our children and to the future of our community.”
A project video presentation highlighted construction milestones, including ground being broken in August 2024 and the rapid progression to completion.
Jill Kinder, director of community engagement for Michael Kinder & Sons, the firm that constructed the building, spoke about the collaboration behind the project. She noted months of planning meetings between the construction team, school corporation and design partners before construction began.
“Building a school is never just a construction project,” Kinder said. “It’s a responsibility we take very seriously.”
Kinder also highlighted key features of the 74,000-square-foot building, including its single-level design with no stairs, improving accessibility for students and staff.
Cory Miller, of Elevatus Architecture, discussed the design philosophy behind the school, describing it as a collaborative effort centered on how students learn and interact.
“This building is the result of countless conversations,” Miller said. “It’s not just about the structure, it’s about creating an environment where students feel comfortable, connected and ready to learn.”
Following the remarks, students from all grade levels gathered in the gymnasium and surrounding areas to participate in the ribbon-cutting. After a countdown, the ribbon was cut and students cheered, marking the official opening of the building.
After the ceremony, attendees were invited to tour the facility, which features a compact, efficient layout designed to improve movement and supervision. Casey said the building allows him to walk through the entire school in minutes, compared to the previous building’s more segmented layout.
The school is organized with grade-level wings, shared learning spaces and a central media center connected to the cafeteria and gym. The building also includes updated classrooms, specialized learning areas and safety features such as a system that can lock all doors simultaneously.
Casey said the first days in the building focused on establishing routines and expectations before transitioning into a full schedule. While the move required significant effort from staff, he said the transition has gone well.
“Everybody’s still catching their breath,” Casey said. “But it’s been exciting, and the students have done a great job adjusting.”
He said the school hopes to use the new facility to highlight positive developments within the district and share its story with the broader community.
The ceremony concluded with students returning to class, marking the start of a new chapter for Milford Elementary in its new space.
