(Harlan) Harlan Community School District, in partnership with CMBA Architects, hosted a ribbon-cutting honoring its newly constructed intermediate school and renovated high school, and conducted guided tours of the new learning centers on Thursday.
Harlan Schools Superintendent Dr. Jenny Barnett. Harlan identified a need to modernize its intermediate and high school facilities to create environments that support collaborative, hands-on learning, are optimized for student and instructor safety, and promote student success.
Barnett says the idea is to have an open concept, that is much brighter than the former elementary, with a flexible seating spaces concept so students can go in and out of the classroom as needed.
Through thoughtful design and collaboration with the Harlan Community School District, CMBA Architects led the design and construction of Harlan’s brand-new intermediate school and renovations to its existing high school. Courtney Koch,  Principal Architect at CMBA, collaborated with the Harlan Community School District and led the design guided by a commitment to enhance the learning experience.
Koch says the neighborhood has become the go-to example for elementary design.
The total cost of the project was around $32 million. In September 2022, Harlan Community School District patrons passed a $22 million bond issue. The school district contributed $9.1 million from its state funding.
