Latest news with #E-SPLOST
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeKalb County Schools to break ground on new Sequoyah middle, high schools
DeKalb County Schools will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday for its new middle school and high school. Channel 2 Action News first told you in April when the school board approved the Sequoyah Middle School and Sequoyah High School project. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton, board members and other school officials will speak at a groundbreaking ceremony at 2 p.m. The new Sequoyah Middle School and future Sequoyah High School will be on the same campus on Aztec Road. The schools will share some facilities, like the new sports fields and gymnasiums. Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach spoke with Sequoyah Middle School Principal Sedrick Anthony when the project was approved. 'People are excited, now able to see [it] come to fruition,' he said. TRENDING STORIES: Braves celebrate 20 millionth fan to Truist Park Woman says she was tricked when selling car online using Zelle Civil Rights icon, former Ambassador Andrew Young honored at tribute for his 93rd birthday The new schools are needed for the growing city of Doraville, but also encompass the Buford Highway corridor from Chamblee to Norcross. Anthony said the current student population is more than 90% Hispanic, with English as a second language. He said the new schools will reenergize students, staff and the community as a whole. 'I would say a significant investment in students that have typically been marginalized so have opportunity to say you're important and you're invested,' Anthony said. The final contact approved by the school board includes a $230 million education special local option sales tax, or E-SPLOST. The middle school is expected to be finished first in 2027 followed by the new high school in 2029. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeKalb Co. school board approves contract to build new combined middle, high school
The DeKalb County School Board approved the final contract to build a first of its kind new combined middle and high school. Work on the new Doraville facility has already begun. Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach was at Sequoyah Middle School on Aztec Road, where officials said both schools will be on the same campus. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Some facilities, like new sports fields and gymnasiums, will be shared between the middle and high schools. Officials told Gehlbach that the middle school that's currently on-site will be replaced and they'll also build a brand new high school. TRENDING STORIES: Mother describes horrifying moments as she watched her SUV burst into flames along GA 400 Mom pleads guilty to killing young daughter, leaving her remains in DeKalb apartment for months Man pretending to make DoorDash delivery tries breaking into woman's apartment 'People are excited, now able to see [it] come to fruition,' Principal Sedrick Anthony said. He told Channel 2 Action News that the building on campus right now was built in the 1960s and it shows. While the school only has a capacity of 1,000 students, Anthony said 'We surpassed that about 11 years ago, so currently we're at 1,600 students.' The new schools are needed for the growing city of Doraville, but also encompass the Buford Highway corridor from Chamblee to Norcross. The principal said the current student population is more than 90% Hispanic, with English as a second language, saying that the new schools will reenergize students, staff and the community as a whole. 'I would say a significant investment in students that have typically been marginalized so have opportunity to say you're important and you're invested,' Anthony said. The DeKalb County School Board approved the final contract to build the new school on Monday for a $230 million education special local option sales tax, or E-SPLOST. The first phase of moving into a new middle school should be complete by summer 2027, with the high school to complete in 2029. Officials told Channel 2 Action News that the schools will probably have a new name, new mascot and new colors. A community meeting to talk about ideas is set for April 28. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Once a Hawk, Always a Hawk': Hardaway High School dedicates new offices to former principals
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — In a heartfelt ceremony, three former principals of Hardaway High School were given high honors — their names forever engraved on the school's newest offices. In the ceremony that dedicated the school's renovated counselor's office, discipline office and new front offices, guests shared emotional and funny stories about former principals Roger Hatcher (1986-1999), Keith Seifert (1999-2005) and Matt Bell (2005-2020). Hardaway High's improvements focused on enhancing learning facilities and making the school safer. The Muscogee County School District used E-SPLOST sales tax to complete the changes. Hardaway High, standing for 60 years, was noted by the district as a school that needed a facelift. The current principal, Maurdrice McNeil, said the renovations began after spring break last school year and were finished about a month ago. 'I think the sense of pride that there haven't been any new renovations here in quite a while. So just the pride that we have, separates us from other schools.' said Principal McNeil. Even though the renovated offices and polished new additions shine bright throughout the school, what stands out the most is the pride still held by Hardaway's previous leadership. Nearly all their speeches included gratitude for the school, appreciation for the experiences and a booming 'Go Hawks!' Bell, who was principal for 15 years and now serves as an MCSD regional chief officer, supervising 18 schools, noted why the stories and the ceremony meant so much to him personally. 'The guidance office is very significant,' Bell said. 'Building relationships is a very important part of my career and everything that we do. This is a people business, and a lot of great things happen in the guidance counselor's office, so I'm deeply honored to have the guidance counselor's suite named after me.' The new additions to the school also have some current students excited. 'To me this ceremony just shows me how I am a part of a legacy,' said senior and Miss Hardaway Za'Nyla Douglas. 'Through all the principals that care for the students and how much dedication and time they put into us. For the school, it shows a reflection of the history that this school has endured and how much progress they've made.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
