Groundbreaking on Anson County’s new middle school took place on Monday, May 13. Convocation for the school is scheduled for August 20 at 9 a.m.
Groundbreaking on Anson County’s new middle school took place on Monday, May 13. Convocation for the school is scheduled for August 20 at 9 a.m.
ANSON — Speaking during the Anson County School Board’s July meeting, interim Superintendent Brian Ratliff provided board members with an update on the new middle school’s construction progress.
While attending multiple on-site construction meetings, Dr. Ratliff learned the main road to the school is about 50 percent ready, while mass grading is 40 percent completed on the building pad and much of the water and sewer lines are done.
“All the grading on the soccer field, football field, and the fire and domestic lines have been installed,” Ratliff said.
Due to unforeseen complications, construction was slightly delayed while waiting on a building permit to be issued.
“We did get the building permit, I got a notice over the weekend … So everything is clear. Footers are prepped to pour, the rain has precluded us from doing some of the activity but I think we are going to be on schedule in the near future,” Ratliff said.
The interim superintendent reported equipment such as a HVAC system, electric poles and other items have been ordered, and in some cases warehoused. He assured board members he will provide updates as needed on the new middle school’s building progress or any issues arising throughout its construction.
Ratliff hopes the new middle school’s upcoming convocation ceremony will be attended by many.
“I am really excited about the leadership and the response that we already have and the excitement about our schools in Anson County. Everything that happens in our school community is a responsibility of the adults in our county and not just the school officials. We are hopeful that folks are going to be able to be there,” Ratliff said about the ceremony.
Ratliff informed board members he sent invitations and left messages with various towns and individuals within the county for everyone to attend the new middle school’s convocation scheduled for August 20. The ceremony is to begin at 9 a.m. and light refreshments awill also be provided.
Turning his attention to the district’s previous middle school, Ratliff broached the subject of what to do with the empty school building now that a new building is being constructed.
“What we will be facing with it operationally is that we will be facing a decision at some point in Anson County about what to do with the [old] facility, and it will come on us really quickly because this construction process is unfolding. We will have a new middle school in place and an old middle school to deal with. I am not recommending anything… I just want board leadership, we are going to have to have some conversations,” Ratliff said.
Ratliff guaranteed he will continue to have discussions with board members throughout the fall, potentially regarding an alternative education center.
“I know that the county may want to be involved. I would like for us to have that on our radar screen and you, as leaders, to start thinking about what that might look like and we can start having those discussions,” he said.
