Mountain Home public schools get upgrades thanks to DCIP grant

Published May 3, 2021
By Airman 1st Class Akeem K. Campbell
366th Fighter Wing/ Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The Defense Communities Infrastructure Program (DCIP) approved a grant for tile and upgrade projects within the Elmore County School District, Mar. 22-26, in Mountain Home, Idaho.

“As a building originally built in the 1950’s, the school has begun to show its age,” said Lonni Smith, Hacker Middle School principal. “When considering the scope and value of the grant, it was determined it would be most beneficial to focus on updating and refreshing floors and paint to improve safety and aesthetics.”

The DCIP is a federal program that provides assistance to school facilities where military children attend. In 2020, DCIP approved a $426,000 grant for the renovations of four local schools: North, East, West Elementary School and Hacker Middle School.

“While the district does everything it can to give the funds available to upgrade and maintain school buildings, this grant has provided a proverbial shot in the arm to address some of the aesthetics that may have otherwise gone unaddressed,” Smith said.

With their combined efforts, the school liaison officer, Allen “Chief Nix” Niksich, and the military liaison for Mountain Home, Marty Anderson, were able to obtain information about how the grant would benefit schools with children from military families.

“Our military student population is about one third of the student population in the community, Nix said.” “Whenever we can make improvements, all the students and staff will have a better environment for learning.”

With these new upgrades, the school will improve on safety and style, providing more care and morale for students and staff.

“We are very grateful for the efforts of all those involved in helping us secure the funds through the Defense Community Infrastructure Program,” Smith said. “The renovations will benefit all students including those who are military affiliated - The new upgrades will give students a workplace to be proud of.”