Ground breaking for new school in Monument Valley is Thursday, Jan 14

Construction crews and dignitaries will converge on Monument Valley on January 14 for ground breaking ceremonies for the new Tsébii’nidzisgai Elementary School at Monument Valley.

The 50,000 square foot facility, with a $10 million price tag, is expected to open in August, 2011. The new school will be constructed under the direction of Hogan Construction and Tri-Hurst Construction and under the tutelege of MHTN Architects.

Ground-breaking ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. at the school site, which is south of Monument Valley High School. The festivities will move to a formal program at the high school at 11 a.m.

The school is the first new facility in the San Juan School District in more than ten years. It will eventually replace the aging elementary school near Mexican Hat.

“Tsébii’nidzisgai” is the Navajo name for the Monument Valley area, meaning “shimmering rocks.” The school, and a handful of homes that will be built for staff, are the latest sign of growth in the area.