Hums Elementary School project moving forward, construction expected early fall

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Plans for the brand-new Hums Elementary School building in Mishawaka are coming together nicely, say school officials.

In Wednesday night's school board meeting, the board awarded construction contracts for the project so they can hit the ground running this fall with construction.

Right now, the building is still on track to welcome students and staff for the 2027 school year.

"It's going to hopefully not only meet but exceed the expectations of both the staff and community," says Superintendent Dr. Theodore Stevens of the School City of Mishawaka.

Dr. Stevens and the school board got a first look at what the reimagined Hums Elementary School will look like; complete with a new layout, aesthetic, classroom set up, and even a new parking lot that matches pick-up needs.

Keeping the safety and educational needs of the students is what drove the design.

"Making sure that we can teach kids and they have a safe, secure learning environment where they can flourish," Dr. Stevens says.

It doesn't hurt that the project is coming in $1.9 million under budget for the project's most recent iteration of just around $45 million.

School leaders are looking forward to breaking ground on the new Hums right next to the old Hums hopefully by late September this year and celebrating the district's newest school building in over 20 years.

"You know when you build a school in Mishawaka, you want it to last, we don't do this half-hazardly so to speak," says Dr. Stevens. "I'm excited to be a part of this as Superintendent and certainly wanting to make sure we're fulfilling the need of the community through this new building."