BEATRICE - The Grand Lodge of Masons of Nebraska and Masonic Lodge 26 conducted a cornerstone ceremony Saturday, at a new southeast Nebraska school building.


The Beatrice Prekindergarten to Fifth Grade facility will begin operations this coming school year. A cornerstone and time capsule will be placed on a wall not far from the north entrance to the building. Grand Orator of the Nebraska Masons, Mohan Krishna spoke of the project that will replace four separate buildings constructed in the 1950s.


"This project has kept to its schedule and kept to its vision of a modern school, designed for teachers, students and parents. Ten sections of preschool and six sections of kindergarten through fifth grade will be a sight to behold, when this first bell rings in just under three weeks."


Superintendent of Beatrice Public Schools, Jason Alexander called it an important day in the local public school system….and said the facility is the product of leadership and teamwork over a more than two-year period.


"It takes vision, and it take leadership, and it takes teamwork to make something like this building come to fruition for our youngest learners. Our kids deserve the best that we can possibly give them."


The cornerstone ceremony was held in the commons area of the new school building, with Masons Grand Marshal Ron Nielsen issued the proclamation.
"I now proclaim the cornerstone of the Beatrice Elementary School to be found true and trusty, and laid in ancient form, in accordance with our customs by the Grand Master of Masons."


Teachers have moved supplies and other items into the classrooms where they will teach young students this coming school year. A grand opening of the building is planned in mid-August….just before the school year begins.