By JAMIE LOGAN
Madison County Schools celebrated three months of operations in the office on Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland earlier this month. The polished central office building, formerly Ergon’s Diversified Technology Property, replaced an old middle school in remote Flora where the district operated in previous years.
“About eight years ago, we started discussing looking for an appropriate space for our operations,” said Superintendent Dr. Ronnie McGehee. “We enjoyed our time in Flora. It was a great time, but we’ve grown exponentially since.”
McGehee currently runs a 13,000 student population district, the fifth largest in the state of Mississippi.
Before the move, administrative activity was scattered across Madison County.
“I think for us as a school district the most important thing is that we finally have everybody in one location,” said Board Secretary and Administrative Assistant Ellen Aregood. “We’re able to provide training at a centralized location.”
The new building will also house the district’s preschool for children with special needs, which is currently located at Olde Towne Middle School in Ridgeland. Aregood explained that the move will free up much needed classroom space.
“We’re excited about having that preschool on campus here,” she said. “Everything is great about this location, but those are the two things from a district standpoint that really help us.”
The school will open in August.
“In a partnership with Ergon Properties, we were able to secure a great deal,” said Dr. McGehee.
The $14.1 million building was sold to the district, almost fully furnished, for $10 million.
“It is 53,000 square feet of Class A office space along with 88,000 square feet of warehouse space. That’s 141,000 square feet located on 28 acres almost in the middle of our district.”
The school district paid for the property with a combination of Section 16 proceeds, lands set aside by the state to help generate income for school districts, and money from its fund balance allocated specifically to the building that will house the special services preschool.
Half of the warehouse space is currently under construction, as the district intends to construct preschool classrooms in that area. The remainder will be used to store extra desks and equipment.
Meanwhile, the front offices are furnished and ready for the school year to come. The three-story facility has a board room, multiple conference rooms, and a large space for district-wide celebrations. The first floor houses administrative offices and personnel while the second floor holds the Accounts Payable and Curriculum and Instruction departments. Food Services, Technology, and training rooms are all located on the third and final level.
The move has allowed the district to consolidate services previously scattered across the county.
“We’ve never had the opportunity to have everybody under one roof before,” said Dr. McGehee. “This is going to provide multiple training opportunities for professional development for teachers, administrators, and staff.”
Already, the district has begun to host trainings for faculty and staff at the new location in preparation for fall. According to Aregood, the new facility has made district events from school board meetings to faculty retirement parties much easier and more enjoyable.
The central location, she and her colleagues believe, will do wonders for the district.
