New Anson middle school shows steady progress; superintendent urges focus on student learning and budget priorities

Mister Baker, the project representative for the new Anson middle school, told the Anson County Schools Board of Education that site grading and major utilities are complete, building pads are in place and roofing and interior framing are underway. He said the project remains within budget and the district is awaiting a final decision from the Department of Transportation on turn-lane improvements at the site.

"The site's really looking good," Baker said during a presentation that included aerial photos and a slide showing fine grading, building pads and completed domestic water taps. He told the board that building areas labeled K, L and M would continue interior work over the next four weeks, that gym roofing and cafeteria slab work were in progress, and that the project team had mitigated earlier wet-site challenges.

Baker provided a near-term timeline: "Schedule wise, it is scheduled to be completed by, the January 2026," he said, adding that weather and other factors could affect that target. He also described a planned bus parking area, staff parking, future sixth-grade wing grading and a security vestibule at school entrances.

The board and staff discussed traffic access. Corey Ross, the district safety officer, said he had contacted the team that performed the feasibility study on the site's roundabout and turn-lane options; the study, Ross said, had concluded there was not enough traffic flow last year to justify expansion, in part because of a staggered 45-minute school start schedule used in prior planning. Ross said the feasibility-team members were willing to meet again to consider other options.

Superintendent Brian Ratliff used his report to emphasize priorities for the district as it moves toward the new-building opening and the April budget work session. "Our emphasis here, has been and will continue to be, that our focus is on student learning and developing leadership," Ratliff said. He told the board he wants the April 14 budget discussions to include not only facilities costs but also investments that directly support instruction and student outcomes.

Ratliff also updated the board on programmatic items discussed in the meeting: Super Saturday community events were rescheduled, with the next session set for May 3; staff are preparing a spreadsheet of expenses for the April 14 budget work session; and the district continues to phase planning for an alternative-education program rather than immediately creating a separate coded school. On student supports, staff described a targeted-tutoring approach that prioritized students with the largest needs based on scale scores.

Board action on consent items did not occur in open session. After a question about items on the consent agenda, the board moved and seconded to go into closed session "to discuss personnel and property," and the motion was approved by voice vote. The public portion of the meeting ended after the board recessed into closed session.