Groundbreaking dedicated to Kinnison, Schiffer

Wielding golden shovels, a group that included school and college officials and the widows of Tom Kinnison and John C. Schiffer formally broke ground Tuesday afternoon for the John C. Schiffer Collaborative School.

Craig Dougherty, superintendent of Sheridan County School District 2, dedicated the groundbreaking to Kinnison and Schiffer.

Kinnison was a former state senator and president of Whitney Benefits, and Schiffer a state senator at the time of his death.

Dougherty said the two men initially weren’t friends, but a friendship grew between them that led to the John C. Schiffer school.

Dougherty said Kinnison in fact came up with the idea of naming School District 2’s alternative school for Schiffer.

Schiffer’s widow, Nancy, was among the speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony. She said the Schiffer school, like her husband, is unique in many ways and called the school a fine memorial. She said Schiffer and Kinnison were a great pair.

Students of the Schiffer school for the past three years have been attending classes in rooms provided by Sheridan College, and the new school building is located on land that formerly belonged to the college. Builder for the new school is Groathouse Construction.