It was a joyous occasion at Mary B. Austin Elementary as school leaders held a ribbon-cutting to open a beautiful new multipurpose building right next to the historic Old Ann oak in the heart of the Spring Hill campus. The new space will be used as a gymnasium and for a variety of school events, according to Robyn Terry, Austin's Principal.
MCPSS Superintendent Chresal D. Threadgill, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lakesha Brackins, School Board Commissioner Dr. Reginald Crenshaw, Chief Area Administrator Andrea Dennis and School Improvement Administrator Dorothy Walton attended the ribbon-cutting. Special guests included County Commissioner Connie Hudson and State Representative Chris Pringle.
In addition to thanking MCPSS leaders and state officials for their support, Terry took a moment to thank three former Mary B. Austin Principals who were in attendance: Jackie Zeigler, the District 1 Representative on the State Board of Education; Dr. Amanda Jones, former Principal of Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies; and Dr. Melissa Whigham, who is currently the Principal at Lott Middle School.
"Long before this building became a reality, they were planting seeds, dreaming big, and advocating for our students and community," Terry said. "Today, we get to see the fruits of those efforts, and I am grateful to stand on the foundation they helped build."
The building project was managed by Louis Anderson, Executive Director of the MCPSS Facilities Division, and John Seitz, MCPSS Contract Specialist.
After the official ribbon-cutting, guests and staff members mingled in the new gymnasium as the first P.E. class of the day worked on exercise drills with a giant parachute. The new space is a dramatic change for the historic Spring Hill campus, and will offer a safe area for physical activities, regardless of weather.
The new building "is so much more than four walls and a roof," Terry said. "It is a place where students will grow, friendships will be strengthened, accomplishments will be celebrated, and memories will be made for generations to come.
"It is a place where our school and community can come together in ways we have only dreamed about until now."