New school year, new school for Holy Spirit students

The first day of school for students of Fargo’s Holy Spirit Elementary School was an eventful one. Not only were the 106 students beginning a new school year, they were doing so in a new, temporary school building.

On May 17, staff at Holy Spirit school noticed that walls were buckling-in and cracking near the Little Deacons classroom areas of the school. It was decided to end the school year early on May 20 for the safety of students and staff. An investigation into the structural problems revealed a slight settling of the load-bearing walls, which caused the interlocking non-load bearing walls to shift. Repairs are already underway, but the school will remain closed throughout the 2022–23 school year.

The immediate concern for Holy Spirit staff and families was where classes would be held this school year. Thankfully, a former school building was available in the diocese not far from Holy Spirit. The Cathedral of St. Mary’s Wanzek Center, formally St. Mary’s school, was offered to Holy Spirit to serve as a temporary school building for the academic year.

Making the move from Holy Spirit School to the Wanzek Center was made possible through the work of students from Sacred Heart Middle School and Shanley High School’s summer strength and conditioning program. These volunteers provided the muscle needed to move books, furniture, and supplies from one school to the other before the start of the school year.

Work continues repairing the damaged areas of Holy Spirit School. The cost of the project is estimated at nearly $1 million, and will be paid for as part of a larger capital improvement campaign for Holy Spirit parish.