Dillon County educators discuss new middle school plans

By: Patricia Burkett | SCNow
Published: September 03, 2009

Thursday and Friday, Dillon County education leaders are meeting in Columbia to discuss the future of a new middle school.

The county passed a tax referendum to fund construction of the new Dillon Middle school, but since that time, the school's found exposure in the national spotlight as well as offers from the state, for help in building a state-of-the-art school.

The plans for a new middle school had been in the works for several years.

They first got a boost from a tax referendum approved by voters, but took off, after the more than 100-year-old school garnered the national spotlight.

"Well, it took it obviously to another level, obviously it became a full-fledged project," said Richard Schafer, Chairman of the Dillon County Board of Education.

The district raised more than $20 million for a new school on the campus of dillon high school, but then state leaders stepped in, urging the district to construct a state of the art, green school that would cost about $50 million.

"We want to give every opportunity to what could be, even if it's a little delay, we've waited years and have had nothing so whatever we can get that would be above and beyond whatever we could finance ourselves, you know, we're looking forward to it," said Ray Rogers, Dillon District Two Superintendent.

Now the district is looking to the state for help in coming up with the additional funding.

District officials say regardless of whether the school is state of the art, or current, one thing's for sure- it will be an improvement over the present conditions.

"I think it will be pride for the kids without question. I think it will be pride for our community because all of us have been anxiously awaiting the results of a lot of hard work," Rogers said.

"My saying presently is we're going from the corridor of shame to the corridor of fame, because this school facility will mean so much to this county," Schafer said.

District officials hope to begin construction on some version of a new middle school by 2010.

They all agree that the district that has fought for so long against aging facilities, will soon have a new source of pride.

District officials say while in Columbia this week, they'll be hearing from state leaders about possible funding sources, as well as from architects about the school's potential design.