New Clarke Middle School showcased with ribbon cutting ceremony

A blue ribbon was cut Tuesday to ceremoniously open the new Clarke Middle School that will host its first group of students when the first day of school begins Thursday.

A gathering of parents, students, Clarke County School District Board members and staff gathered at the school off Baxter Street for the ceremony.

“This is a great occasion. We should be very proud, not only of this building but our contractors who have done a great job,” said District Superintendent Robbie Hooker, who cut the ribbon.

Derrick Maxwell, who was recently appointed interim principal for the school, also expressed gratitude for those in attendance including two former principals for Clarke Middle.

The $55 million facility is being completed in two phases. The school is more than three times the size of the original school that opened in 1958.

A second phase, which includes the gymnasium, administration area, and space for the Clarke Middle Health Center, is scheduled to be completed in January.

Among those on hand for the ceremony were John Gilbreath, director of SPLOST Projects, along with officials from the architectural firm of Lindsay Pope Brayfield & Associates and the contractor Grahl Construction.

After the ribbon cutting, those in attendance were given tours of the three floors that contain classrooms for the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, along with the cafeteria, and media center.

Clarke Middle is one of four middle schools in the county.

School Begins: The new school year kicks off in early August for Athens area. Here's what families need to know

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: New Clarke Middle School showcased with ribbon cutting ceremony