In March of 2020 the world came to a halt for many as the COVID-19 pandemic took us away from school, church, social events and many other activities.
With school closures and virtual learning in way, teachers adjusted, students began to learn mathematics from their kitchen tables and parents had to find a way to work while also helping their children in a new way.
Now, almost two years later, the community is still trying to figure out how to live and learn with this pandemic.
Dr. Jimmy Carter, the director of schools for Union County, has high hopes for the coming year. Not only in terms of progression in learning but also progression in facilities.
Many in the community have raised concerns surrounding the Horace Maynard Middle School building in the case of overcrowding.
Teachers, parents and students can now rest assured that the Union County School Board is in the process of finding land for the building.
The Union County School board just recently hired an architect to look at properties in the community to narrow down which location would be best for the building of a new middle school.
The next step for the school board is to come before the county commission and present this plan.
Carter is hopeful that the school board will be taking this next step in either January or February in order to inform every one of the plans and progress.
Funds have been allocated from two places, with four million dollars in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSAR Funds) and five million coming from a set aside amount in our local school funds.
“The bottom line is, we are out of space at the current middle school,” Carter said. “It is an older building that can not be built onto because of the restrictions of where it sets. I think it is a necessity right now, and really the biggest need in our community.”
The current middle school would be turned over to the county and as of now, Mayor Bailey plans on turning the building into a community center.
While some of the community offices would be moved to this building for office space, there would be some opportunity for community uses.
“This plan really benefits the community in two way,” Carter said.
Along with this, a majority of the ESSAR Funds have been used to accommodate for the learning lose during the time away from school due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While there have been numerous hurdles over the past two years, Carter has seen hope.
Carter is extremely grateful for the teacher and parental support that was shown during the pandemic and that is continually shown during this learning curve of how to teach students after time away.
“We ask a lot of our teacher and they overwhelmingly preformed above and beyond for their students,” Carter said.
Carter attributes this to the Union County School staff being able to bend without breaking for their students.
Not only is this shown through the pandemic, but it is also shown through teachers being able to teach in non-classroom spaces.
With the current middle school, teachers are finding unconventional classroom spaces with growing amounts of students.
Looking into the new year, Carter is hopeful that the community with stay united and understanding as they try to do what is best for the children of this community.
He hopes that this newfound partnership between teachers, parents and students outlasts the pandemic.