Rowan County Middle School students can now look forward to a “new beginning” before the year 2010 when a 100,000 square-foot building will be finished and ready to house 850 students.
Dignitaries, school officials, teachers and community leaders gathered Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony that took place at the site of the new school next to the Rowan County Senior High School and the technical college.
Superintendent Marvin Moore said the vision had come true and he is pleased the community stood behind the idea by supporting the recallable nickel tax.
“This is an exciting time for us, the students and staff and the community,” he commented during the ceremony. “This is the largest single project that the school board has ever done. The present middle school has been sufficient for many years, but it’s time to move on. This would not be possible without everyone working together. When we suggested the recallable nickel tax, only one person showed up to protest it. That goes to show without a doubt the support the community has for education.”
Moore said the RCMS gymnasium was built in 1958 and served the Morehead High School. The rest of the building was built in 1962 and was the Rowan County High School until 1983 when the $12 million new high school was built in its present location.
At that time, the old high school was then made into the middle school where it had 80 staff members and 650 students. The library was added in 1990.
School board Chairman Larry Coldiron stood Tuesday during the ceremony to make comments about the project. “This all is happening because of you,” he said. “This will not be a bookshelf building, but instead a unique school that all of us can be proud of.”
Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins (D) said Rowan County held a special place in his heart. “This is a great day for this community,” Adkins said. “I have spent a lot of evenings in the gymnasium at the middle school while playing basketball for Elliott County, and I feel a great attachment to his county.” This project resembles what this county is all about ¬– moving forward. I just want to compliment this community and our most precious resource – our children.”
Representative John Will Stacy (D) said he is pleased to be a part of the project and happy to have taken part in making it happen. “At the state level the recallable nickel has to be equalized and that has been taken care of,” he said. “This is a tremendous day for everyone involved in this. I want to congratulate each and every one of you for your vision. When people work together, great things happen. We are your public servants and we are proud to work for you. This school will be an icon for this community and it says - education matters.”
State Senator Walter Blevins (D) spoke about his connection to Morehead and his feelings about the new middle school.
“This is a special place to me and a special place in eastern Kentucky,” he said. “This school is the last piece to the puzzle. This middle school is the key to the community. You have the airport, the industrial park, the technical college, all the businesses and Morehead State University and it’s all right here on the interstate. It’s just a great day for every one and I’m so glad to be a part of it.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Tonia Noe-Rose photo
RCMS groundbreaking
- Local News
-
-
Morehead woman pleads guilty to incest, sodomy
A Morehead woman pleaded guilty Wednesday in Rowan Circuit Court to five crimes involving the sexual abuse of her young son. Brittany Henson, 22, pleaded guilty to incest, sodomy first degree, promoting a sexual performance by a minor, and possession and distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.
-
KSP, corrections stage exercise in Clearfield
Residents of KY 519 and McBrayer Road in Clearfield were surprised Thursday morning to find groups of state corrections officers and state police troopers walking through their neighborhoods.
-
Stacy: UPIKE proposal would threaten Rowan economy
There was a decidedly different tone Thursday at the normally-jovial monthly luncheon meeting of the Morehead-Rowan Chamber of Commerce. “If I sound agitated, that’s because I am,” Rep. John Will Stacy said to a roomful of business and civic leaders.
-
Blevins won’t challenge Stivers in new district
After more than 30 years in the Kentucky General Assembly, Sen. Walter Blevins, D-Morehead, knows a politician has to be flexible. The veteran lawmaker did not file this week to run for reelection in the newly-aligned 25th District.
-
Two Rowan schools win Get Fit challenge
Students at Clearfield and McBrayer elementary schools hopped, skipped and jumped their way to a live dance party hosted by Radio Disney. They were among eight Kentucky schools with the highest participation in the Get Active, Get Fit School Challenge.
-
Alleged cyber sexual predator arrested
An alleged online sexual predator was arrested in Morehead yesterday at 1:10 a.m. after he arranged a meeting with what he thought was a 12 year-old female.
-
29 indicted by grand jury
Eight people were charged with engaging in a criminal syndicate among the 29 indicted by a Rowan County grand jury Jan. 20.
-
Medical e-record use mandate drawing nearer
Technology will be playing a bigger role in patient care than ever before.
-
MCTC cosmetology program opens doors for clients
The Cosmetology Program salon at Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC) is now open for business. The salon is housed in MCTC’s new Downtown Extension located in the old Rowan County Middle School building.
-
KSP responds to KY 7 accident Saturday morning
Kentucky State Police at Morehead responded to a single-vehicle collision on KY 7 in the Wrigley community of Morgan County Saturday morning, January 28.
- More Local News Headlines
-
