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New Clarke County High School holds open house
Clarke County School Superintendent Gerald Stephens used Tuesday's open house and ribbon cutting at the new $6 million Clarke County High School to respond to critics who opposed the new construction and those who have more recently rallied against the pending demolition of the 1936 high school building on the other side of the campus. "When I was principal there [at the old school] I looked for '10 On Your Side,' [the news program, to help promote a new school]," he said. "When we started the [new] building I didn't think we would have any of that, but there are some who were not on your side. And you know about that." The new building is on the site of a 1920s building that originally served as a grammar school. It was demolished to make way for the new facility.
"First of all, the building was worn slam out," Stephens said. "That's reason enough, but there are many other reasons that you don't know about. "…We signed a contract to do this building over two years ago. We had committees formed, and the consensus was, this needs to be done. We didn't have any money at the time, but I said we are going to build the building." Work was done in phases Stephens said if the two buildings had been torn down at one time, "there wouldn't had been a word said. "But we had to do it in phases so that education could go on. We had to have a place for students so we left this building [the old high school], moved in portables and did what we had to do to continue to have education without moving children to churches, out buildings and so forth. "But, anyway, Phase Two is on go [the construction of the new band room and the demolition of the old school], because when a contractor signs a contract with a business, there's money to be made in some phases. There's not much to be made in others. "The part you see here now was where the contractor spent most of the money that he made," Stephens said. "Over here [the old high school], there will be an opportunity for him to make a little bit of money [when it is demolished]." Stephens also challenged critics of the parking lot that will be built on the site of the old school. 'Å nice parking place' planned "I've heard things said like 'it's just going to be an old piece of concrete over here.' Well, it's going to be curb and gutter. It's going to be a nice parking place, which we haven't had any parking places. All of you were scrambling while we were doing this. We had people parking over by the graveyard, in the street, wherever they were able to park. It will be nice parking facilities. "Later on…we will have a new career tech center behind where the old library is now," Stephens said, adding that the old library will be turned into a technology learning center. He was critical of comments that the demolition of the old school would reveal unslightly structures. An issue... 'if you call it an issue' "I don't know of many people that pass the front of the school, and make a right at the cemetery, and close their eyes and never looked to see what was back there behind. However, now that is an issue. If you can call it an issue." Stephens, who has announced that he will seek a fifth four-year term as superintendent this year, warmed to those who had a hand in the new construction and to the faculty. He thanked the school maintenance staff for helping correct the problem of a lack of a phone system when the new campus opened. "They can do most anything," he said. Stumbling blocks not a problem He also thanked the teachers for bearing with the construction problems. "Whenever you have progress, you're going to run into a few stumbling blocks. A stumbling block means nothing to a winner. You just figure out a way to go around them. That's what we've done." Stephens applauded "all the parents that work hard when we have projects going. [To] those that turn their back and run when we ask them do something, I like to see people working and contributing before they run their mouth. "I see a lot here [today]. I see people who sell hamburgers and make hamburgers and make donations….And then I see those naysayers, they just complain about what hasn't been done. I don't want to see them and I don't want to talk to them. "…I appreciate all of you very much," he said. "I appreciate all the efforts that you put forth toward giving the good students in Clarke County a decent building, modern labs, with heating and air conditioning that is not still hanging from the halls. We still have some of them over there [a reference to the air conditioning in the old building]." Big difference in students noted With the new campus, "we have seen a tremendous difference in the students," said Debra Dennis, CCHS principal. "We have had fewer discipline problems. All of the students are very cooperative….It has made a total difference with everybody." "I didn't like school," said Rev. Dave Rhodes, pastor of Grove Hill United Methodist Church, in his remarks at the ceremony. "I had a long way to go, but I'm glad I did [stuck with it]. It gave me tools to use in many different aspects of life - not just the ministry…. This is a place where you, teachers and administrators, will be giving tools, abilities for kids to use. "…We pray for all the boys and girls…to make the most of this precious opportunity that we have here in the United States called a free education," Rhodes said in his prayer. "…Help them to be good stewards of these wonderful privileges you are giving them." Time capsule being readied During the opening ceremony, teacher Lois Davis asked for help in filling a time capsule. The school has collected books from the following years, 1953-55, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965-67, 1979- 82, 1987, and 1991 to the present. Books from other years are needed.
The staff is also looking for old photographs and is seeking to identify the oldest living graduate of CCHS.
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