South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation
The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters. The district partnered with Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) for design services and with Contract Construction for general contracting services.
Improvements to the campus will include a secure and clearly defined main entrance to the school, upgraded mechanical and electrical systems, and flexible classrooms with natural light. The new design will also include centralized administrative areas and dedicated spaces for the school’s athletics, performing arts, and exploratory learning programs, as well as outdoor learning areas.
The campus was originally built in 1954 and is facing issues related to aging infrastructure and outdated systems. An addition in 2010 modernized a portion of the campus, but the rest had previously remained stagnant.
“We have a great amount of needs in the community,” said Dr. Corey Murphy, district superintendent, in a local news story. “And the fact that we’re able to actually provide these needs and give them a cost-effective product as well as premier learning spaces is fun.”
Local news reports that the renovation of North Augusta Middle School is part of a larger construction push across the district, including work at Midland Valley, South Aiken, and Silver Bluff High Schools.
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Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].