Ground broken at site of new elementary school

A groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday marked the construction site for Greene County’s new elementary school, secured through a favorable result from last year’s ESPLOST vote.

Despite opposition on several fronts, the Greene County Board of Education (BOE) set in motion a detailed plan to combine the elementary students currently split between the county’s primary and middle schools in one location off Meadow Crest Road.

The 113,000-square-foot facility will house pre-K, kindergarten, and students in grades one through five in a state-of-the-art educational facility.

It marks the first time a new county elementary school has been built in Greene County since the early 1980s and affirms that the county is continuing to grow with many new families moving to the area. It is part of a strategic plan to best meet the educational needs of a growing population in the area.

All elementary students will soon attend school under one roof with their peers, rather than the current configuration that splits them between the current K-4 primary school in Union Point, the preschool program in Greensboro, and a fifth-grade wing at Carson Middle School.

It is a conscious effort to merge all Greene County elementary students by 2024 with a student population expected to exceed 900. Students enrolled and attending Lake Oconee Academy remain on site.

The event brought out both county and city officials, key support staff, and excited parents and teachers. Its construction is seen as a clear benchmark, addressing the evolving educational needs of students who reside in the area and affording them a facility that meets select educational criteria.

Mike Lynch, former BOE chairman, is credited with leading the effort by recognizing early on that a new school was crucial to serve the needs of a growing population and outdated facilities. Beyond just bricks and mortar, the new school would be seen as a clear commitment to the shared vision of becoming a high-performing public school system in the state.

The plans for the new school were laid out with the purchase of 20 acres from the county in 2021. Prior to that, it was confirmed that the existing elementary school at the Main Street complex was outdated and in need of critical repairs, which prompted the closure of the Greensboro Elementary School in 2019.

Grades K-3 were moved to Union Point Elementary, and grades 4-5 were moved to Carson Middle School. The demolition of Greensboro Elementary School was completed last year. The new school is expected to cost $39.4 million.

“Our governance team, school administration, teachers, students, and community have worked tirelessly to make this event possible,” BOE Chairman Dr. Lee Perry, said. “When we are united in our ideals and work to help others, great things happen. This new school is a great example of an achievement worthy of our efforts for decades to come.”

Students present had an opportunity to speak and address the group with thanks for the new school and mentioned their appreciation for a new playground, performance area, stage, library, and new science labs.

“We share in the excitement of witnessing the groundbreaking of this new school,” Greensboro Mayor Corey Williams said. “It showcases the collective vision, determination, and commitment to the education of our children. By embarking on this new chapter, we know it will have a profound impact on our educational advancement, economic growth, and community spirit.”

Greene County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Houston has been the leading advocate for the BOE’s efforts in seeing their goal to completion.

“We are excited to soon offer this new educational facility to our younger students,” Dr. Houston said. “The early foundational learning years set the trajectory for a student’s entire educational career, and we plan for this building, which will incorporate the latest in technological innovation in education, to be an important part of their strong start.”