MOUNTAIN VIEW — The Mtn. View-Birch Tree School Board recently celebrated the official opening of a new facility donated by Simmons Bank in Mtn. View, including administrative offices and furnishings and a 1,200 square foot storage building, located on Elm Street between Simmons Bank and Mtn. View Elementary School.
Mtn. View-Birch Tree Superintendent Lanna Tharp said the district been in the building since July and worked since then to get the finishing touches in place prior to the ribbon cutting. As she led a tour of the facility, Tharp expressed her gratitude to Simmons Bank for not only the building, but office equipment like desks and filing cabinets, some of which were also given to teachers for their classrooms.
The building has nine offices, a conference room and kitchen, plus plenty of parking, Tharp pointed out. Simmons Bank also provided signage for the new office.
"We believe this event is not only a celebration of Simmons Bank's generosity but also an opportunity to showcase the collaborative spirit within our community," she told the Quill in an email inviting coverage of the ceremony.
The event was attended by school board members, Simmons Bank representatives and community members including Mayor Charry McCann and retired superintendent Dr. Don Christensen.
It was catered by Petrova's Pastries and Mixings of Mtn. View, also courtesy of Simmons Bank, featuring a spread piled high with meats and cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, and sweets.
During opening comments, Simmons Bank Regional Community President Steve Vines reminded attendees he was born and raised in Mtn. View, he and his children went to school there and he served on the school board for 15 years.
"Being able to provide this facility for the school kind of holds a special place in my heart,” said Vines. “I appreciate being a part of that and appreciate Simmons Bank for being able to give back to the communities that we serve."
He gave a brief history of Simmons Bank, established in 1903 and now expanded to 293 financial centers, many of them in small, rural communities like Mtn. View, and in six states.
"Now, you probably caught the fact that I said we are a community bank and you are kind of wondering how a bank with that many dollars in assets can be a community bank, and it's all about our mindset,” Vines went on. “Community banking is about a mindset and not necessarily about the asset size, and I think that's what we're all celebrating here today. It kind of shows we are a true community bank and we like being able to give back to the communities we serve."
The building is where Vines worked as a teller when the bank (formerly Landmark Bank) opened in 1991, he said, and he continued to move up through the company as it grew and expanded.
"It is with overwhelming gratitude that I'm here, that we're all here," Tharp added. "I'm deeply touched by the generosity of Simmons Bank whose contribution of a new office building is nothing short of extraordinary. I want to thank Dr. Christensen and Steve for all the time they spent making this happen. It took a lot of time.”
She continued, “At first I thought it was too good to be true. I think several of us did, but it was a blessing above what I could have thought or imagined. So to the team at Simmons Bank and Steve, your ongoing commitment to our community and its educational endeavors is truly commendable. Your belief in the Mtn. View-Birch Tree R-III mission speaks volumes about your values and dedication to making a difference. With this new office building you've not only provided us with the physical space but also instilled in us a renewed sense of purpose and pride. You have revived all of us in this office, and I think I can speak for all of us. We are revived, just to be in here. Our district administrators meet in here almost weekly. It's a place where dreams are nurtured, ideas are born, and futures are shaped, and overall, the central office plays a critical role in ensuring the effective operation of the school district.”
Tharp concluded, “So, Simmons Bank, you have provided us with a stellar space to make all of this happen, and on behalf of every student, teacher, and staff member I want to express our deepest thanks to Simmons. With your support we are empowered to continue our mission of meeting the needs of every single one of our Liberty Eagles. Thank you very much,” Tharp concluded.
