Superintendent Mitch McGhee said Madison County got a “big bang for our buck” with the new facility.
“A lot of people come to this building now and they say, ‘Man, y’all spent a lot of money on this,’” said McGhee. “And I say, ‘really, we did not…’ We had a Chevy budget, but we did build a Cadillac in a lot of areas.”
The superintendent noted that the county school system worked hard to keep construction costs down.
“The straight construction cost of this building ended up being $76.79 a square foot,” said McGhee. “That’s when most buildings today are running $110, $115 (a square foot).”
McGhee praised former superintendent Keith Cowne for pushing for an early referendum for renewal of the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST), which allowed the system to move forward on the middle school project instead of waiting until the old SPLOST expired.
“We knew it would be a good decision at the time, but in hindsight it was even better,” said McGhee. “It probably saved us $2-3 million in construction costs by running that SPLOST early.”
McGhee said the middle school construction was a team effort that included important input from middle school staff in the planning stages.
“The construction folks, the architects, the board of education — I think all of them have developed a building, a school that not only we can be proud of but that our students are going to benefit from,” said McGhee. “This is one of the nicest middle school gyms you’re going to find anywhere.”
Cowne, the featured speaker Sunday, said the construction of a new middle school was part of a bigger project. With the move of the MCMS from Danielsville, the old middle school building is now serving as the Danielsville Elementary School Colt Academy, the Madison County High School ninth grade academy and the county board of education offices.
“This project in its entirety provides a fantastic new facility here (the new MCMS), but renovated facilities back there (in Danielsville),” said Cowne. “And it alleviates the overcrowdedness that at three schools caused us to use over two dozen trailers. And it dramatically reduces the traffic congestion in Danielsville.”
Cowne reminded the audience of the county’s adopted education motto, “putting our children first.”
“This school certainly symbolizes Madison County’s commitment to that slogan,” said Cowne. “But this will not be enough. I challenge each of you today to continue to put our children first.”
He urged parents to have their children in school every day and on time. He urged staff to put aside personal differences. He urged citizens to attend school board meetings without a complaint or a special recognition, but just to see what is going on.
“Work to understand the wide range of concerns that they (the school board) must consider when they make the decision that will effect almost 5,000 students and over 700 employees and, in some way or another, over 26,000 Madison County residents,” said Cowne.
Those attending Sunday’s ceremony were treated to music from the middle school chorus and band. They heard from middle school students Cemone Harden, Edwin Lucero and John Shepherd, from BOE chairman Jim Patton, MCMS “Teacher of the Year” Donna Smith, as well as from assistant superintendents Bonnie Knight and Allen McCannon. Middle school students also led the crowd on a tour of the new facilities.
when kids are put in a smallroom for eight hour
as a form of punishment.Also it is call block 13orblock14 don!t it sound like a prison.