Groundbreaking for new high school
School Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler, District 1 councilman Tim Holcombe, groundbreaking robot Sam Spade, school board member Phil Schmidt, Mayor Paul Finley, school board member Dr. Teri Johnson, school board member Sue Helms, School Board President Ray White, school board member, Connie Spears; District 2 councilman Steve Haraway, District 3 councilman Jerry Jennings and State Senator for District 2 Bill HOltzclaw break ground for the new high school, Thursday, December 16.
Cold weather and gray skies didn’t stop school officials, city dignitaries and citizens from coming out to the official groundbreaking of the new high school located of Burgreen Road, Thursday, Dec. 16.
Dr. Dee Fowler officiated the ceremony with special remarks from Mayor Paul Finley and City Council President Tommy Overcash.
“The new high school obviously has potential of being divisive, but it’s going to be our job and our vision to make it unified,” Fowler said. “We can unify this new high school with Bob Jones and create stronger competition. We can unify by taking kids out of the middle schools. We can unify by helping have smaller numbers in our schools and developing more relations.”
When the high school starts session, ninth grade will move to the two high schools. Fowler said the move would provide more room in the middle schools.
Fear of the unknown, pride and hope are three emotions Fowler said he feels when it comes to the new high school.
“I’ve had so many people come up to me asking if there was a need for a second high school,” he said. “You have to make the right time for yourself and I believe that’s what the city of Madison has done.”
Finley said he has definitely understood the challenges the city has faced in the process of establishing the school.
“It’s been a two-year trek,” Finley said. I’m so proud of our community for being the leaders that they are.”
During his speech, City Council President Tommy Overcash said the city council is proud to be a part of the operation.
Madison is truly blessed to have so many opportunities, Overcash added.
“This what happens when you have a vision,” said council member Dr. Teri Johnson. “We have a vision for our kids and the city had a vision for our school system and this is what happen when everyone works together. I’m really appreciative for everything the council has done to make this dream come true.”
Sam Spade, a robot built by the Bob Jones robotics team for a technology competition last spring, was the first to officially break ground.
Nominations for a name for the high school are still underway. Construction is expected to be complete in 2012.
