'Bigger and better'

School system breaks ground on Fairhope High expansion

By The Courier Staff
Posted 10/26/16

Fairhope High School will begin constructing a new addition, after school system officials broke ground on the project last Friday.

The new additions to Fairhope High will include a 20-classroom …

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'Bigger and better'

School system breaks ground on Fairhope High expansion

Posted

Fairhope High School will begin constructing a new addition, after school system officials broke ground on the project last Friday.

The new additions to Fairhope High will include a 20-classroom wing and expansions to the school’s cafeteria to help meet the demands of growth placed on the school.

Fairhope High Principal Jon Cardwell said he was beyond excited about the groundbreaking for what he said were “necessary additions” to the school.

“This isn’t about a building. It’s not about brick and mortar – it’s about our kids,” Cardwell said. “From the bottom of my heart to everyone involved with this extension, thank you so much. You’re going to change education and make it even better than it is now.”

Fairhope’s Baldwin County Board of Education member Cecil Christenberry said he was thankful to the rest of the board and school system staff for making the addition become a reality.

“We are thrilled,” Christenberry said. “This has been a dream for many years coming. We’ve got a large number of portables that can finally be eliminated once this project is completed, and we’re told it should be finished in time for the start of school next year.”

Superintendent Eddie Tyler said the project was fulfilling a promise to the people of Baldwin County to address needs in schools across the county.

“This has been something in the works for a while now,” Tyler said. “Our board has kept that on their radar, that mission of committing to eliminating the overcrowding in our school system. They listened to the task force about addressing getting rid of those portable classrooms first and they’re doing that.”

Tyler said the project came in at $3.2 million and will use funds the system had saved up over the last few years to address the needs associated with the rapid growth Baldwin County has seen.

“We’re just excited for this,” Tyler said. “It gives us a chance to better our schools and make sure our children have the facilities and tools they need to succeed at the highest levels.”