Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly re-purposed Edwards Elementary School drew a crowd of grateful and excited parents, staff and faculty ready to start the new school year — and the event wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work, effort and skill of the crew that was honored as part of the ceremony.
After being lauded for their talents last week by Nash County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robbie Davis during a tour of Rocky Mount schools, maintenance employees with Nash County Public Schools were once again praised their efforts and recognized Thursday for their work in converting the former middle school into a facility more suited for a younger crowd.
Due to the redrawing of school attendance zones, which was prompted by the demerger, the school that was known as Edwards Middle last school year, is now an elementary school.
That transformation required the lowering of water fountains, sinks and restroom fixtures to accommodate younger and smaller students. This was only one item on the list of renovations completed at the school, said Angie Miller, the school district’s facilities director.
“We are very fortunate to have between 40 to 50 members in the maintenance department that are very skilled tradesmen,” Miller said. “They’re working in our school system every day for our students. This department has an immense amount of expertise. They’re dedicated, and they’ve allowed us to do many renovations in-house while other school districts across the state have contracted that work out.”
Miller said the task seemed daunting to her, but not to the team of tradesmen tasked with converting the facility into an elementary school over the summer.
“The first time I walked through the middle school, with the vision that this is about to be an elementary school, there was panic in eyes and in my voice,” Miller said. “This group never made it feel like it was a nuisance to them and that this undertaking wouldn’t be smooth and easy.”
Miller said the exterior of the building has been pressure-washed, and exterior lights and security cameras have been installed. New fencing, new windows and signage were installed. The main building also received a new heating and air-conditioning system.
The maintenance personnel attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony received a rousing round of applause when recognized.
Nash County Commissioner Gwen Wilkins, who attended the ribbon-cutting and the open house event that followed, said she was impressed with what she saw.
“The kids were so excited, and I am, too. There’s a welcoming atmosphere at Edwards Elementary that was evident on the faces of the students. Of the improvements that have been made, I can only say hats off to the maintenance crew for all they have done,” Wilkins said following the ceremony, adding that, judging from the reactions of parents and students attending the event, that they, too, were impressed with the appearance of the facility.
Nash County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Melissa Dancy-Smith, in her address to the gathering, praised the work done at the school to prepare it for the upcoming school year, which starts Monday.
“This building has seen a lot over the years, but today starts a new chapter in place where our youngest learners will grow and thrive,” Dancy-Smith said.
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