Officials dedicate Lewiston Elementary
Mildred Blackburn wore a huge grin as she used oversized scissors to cut the ribbon officially dedicating Columbia County's 15th elementary school.
Blackburn and other county school-board members and lots of teachers and parents gathered in the commons area of Lewiston Elementary School just before its open house began Tuesday.
The school, on Hereford Farm Road near Columbia Road, was built on 18 acres that was the farm of Ellis and Lou Lewis, a prominent family in the area.
"This is the best possible use of the land," said Clinton Lewis, grandson of Ellis and Lou, who attended the dedication.
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Mike Doolittle, principal of the county's newest school, welcomed guests and thanked all involved in the 39-classroom, $6.4 million school's construction and preparation for pupils this school year.
Lewiston Elementary School Principal Mike Doolittle addresses the crowd gathered for the official dedication of Columbia County's newest
elementary school.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"This is the beginning chapter of Lewiston Elementary School and I am honored to be a part of it and the school's first principal," Doolittle said.
Members of the school's Parent-Teacher Organization are celebrating their effort at raising nearly half of the money needed to purchase equipment for two playgrounds on the campus. The equipment cost more than $18,000 after Jason Stewart of Concrete Placement Specialists donated installation of the equipment, said Jodi Thigpen, the PTO playground chairman.
"We are looking real good," said Denise McCorkle, the PTO president.
The PTO took out a loan from the school system to pay for the equipment, and while the loan terms call for repayment in two years, McCorkle said the PTO will be able to retire the debt by Christmas.