With the support of Iver C Ranum’s family and the help of a drone built to slice the ceremonial ribbon, Westminster Public Schools formally dedicated Iver C Ranum An Innovation Campus last week. It marked the beginning of a new era for education in WPS.

 

“We needed to be bold in creating a campus that went beyond the traditional classroom experience,’ said Superintendent Jeni Gotto who reminded the audience that she has a son in the district. “I'm so thrilled to know that this campus will provide him and all of our students with a chance to become anything, and I mean anything they can dream of.”

 

Phase one of the campus opened in August with pathways in Aviation Engineering, Biotechnology, and Cyber Technology. Every pathway at the Ranum Innovation Campus offers stackable industry credentials and college credits. Students from both Westminster High School and Hidden Lake Secondary School are enrolled in classes on campus while taking their other core and elective classes at their home schools. WPS Board of Education President Christine Martinez said the project is an important investment for the entire community. “This campus will help people to reach their full potential so they can stay in the community they grew up in to help make it a stronger, more prosperous place to live.”

 

In April of 2022, the WPS Board of Education approved $20 million in funding for the development of phase one of the campus. Voters will be asked to approve additional funds for several district projects including expanded phases of the Ranum Innovation Campus in the November election. Ballot measure 4C extends the existing bond that was approved by voters in 2006. Long-term plans call for the creation of weekend and evening classes that will provide continuing education and career opportunities for adults in the community, making it a multi-generation educational hub for Adams County.

 

The ribbon cutting was an emotional moment for the Ranum family, including Iver’s daughter Cheryl Osborn, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Iver Ranum was a long-time educator and Superintendent in what was then Adams County School District 50.

 

“I was named after this building,” joked grandson Iver Osborn, a guest speaker at the event. “My grandfather always believed in education in every form,” he said. “No matter what you were doing, if you were learning, that was important.”