By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

SUNMAN, Ind. - Most of the 4,250 students starting back to school todayin the Sunman-Dearborn School District will notice something new this year: more space.

The new Sunman-Dearborn Intermediate School is the district's first new school since Bright Elementary opened in 1995.

It will alleviate some of the crowding in a district that grows by about 60 students a year.

"We had overcrowding in the elementary schools and middle school, so this project will positively impact four different schools," said Superintendent John Roeder.

The new building will welcome 650 fifth- and sixth-graders, though it has enough room to accommodate 900 students.

It was part of a $32 million project that included an addition and renovation to Sunman Elementary School.

The six-school district is also made up of North Dearborn Elementary, Sunman-Dearborn Middle and East Central High schools.

All of the fifth-graders from the three elementary schools will attend the intermediate school, as will all of the sixth-graders from the middle school.

The middle school, which was designed to hold 900 students, had 1,040 last year. This year it will have 690 seventh- and eighth-graders.

Chris Vennemeier will be principal of the new intermediate school. She gave her input throughout the construction of the building.

"I've enjoyed it. It's been a real learning process for me," said Vennemeier. "The kids really like it, and we have room to grow by about another 150 students per grade level."

The students are excited about the modern features.

"It's really nifty and really big," said sixth-grade student Jereca Fugate. "We'll have lockers, and there are locker rooms in the gym, which we didn't have at the other school."

The only school not affected by the new school - East Central High School - will undergo an expansion beginning next summer.

Sunman-Dearborn Intermediate School details

•  2003-2004 enrollment: 650 fifth- and sixth-graders
•  Can accommodate up to 900 students
•  47 classrooms
•  4 computer labs
•  Over 300 computers
•  Art and science labs, media center, music room, library, special education suite
•  Address: 27650 Old State Road 1, West Harrison, IN 47060
•  Phone: (812) 576-1900
•  School district Web site: http://sunmandearborn.k12.in.us/

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E-mail williamcroyle@enquirer.com