VALDOSTA —The Valdosta City School System and Pinnacle Prime Contractors, Inc., were joined by system faculty, students and community friends Wednesday, for the topping out celebration of the new West Gordon Elementary.

One of the final projects began under ESPLOST II, the new West Gordon school sits on approximately 33 expansive acres, just near its original site, developed nearly four decades ago.

“Nearly 40 years ago, when this school was built, it was a premier school and a model for our area,” said Valdosta City Schools Superintendent Sam Allen. “It was built under the open-classroom concept, and the community could come in and view what was going on here. Now we’re about to move into a modern facility that meets the needs of today’s student. I’m thankful for the parents, students, tax payers and the Board of Education, who all had the foresight to invest in something better for our children.”

Once fully constructed, the new 130,000-square-foot facility will be complete with 62 classrooms, including classrooms for special education, and a state-of-the-art administration section. The school will also provide students and faculty with many opportunities to explore learning through art and technology, with a modern media center, library, a recording studio, and two art classrooms with pottery/kiln facilities. Students will enjoy a gymnasium with 30 motorized bleachers, and a kitchen and cafeteria area with a 320 student capacity, plus private dining room space for 21 teachers.

A long way from the design and structure of the original facility, completed in 1970, Allen believes the new school facility will help to strengthen the educational foundation of community students for years to come.

“If you don’t think that a building has an effect on student achievement, you’re wrong,” Allen said. “Children will learn better in this facility, and it will be a proud moment when teachers and students at West Gordon and S.L. Mason are able to tell their children and grandchildren, ‘That’s my school, and I was one of the first to go through its doors.’”

Under the new configuration of the city’s elementary schools, West Gordon will serve students grades K-5, gathering its lower elementary grade students from those enrolled in S.L., who reside within the West Gordon district.

“I’m very excited about the new West Gordon being a K-5 school, and possibly serving Pre-K in the future, because I believe this allows for a better flow within our schools,” said Principal John Davis who will serve as the schools new principal. “We’ll be looking for our 3-5 grade students to set an example for our younger kids, and continue to exemplify the spirit of family that this system has always had, throughout my 25 years here.”

Associate Superintendent, William Aldrich, another long- time Valdosta School System family member, has also been instrumental in the West Gordon project and several others. Described by Allen as, “The stone of all our SPLOST projects,” Aldrich has partnered with architects Glenn Gregory and Associates, Pinnacle Prime and sub-contractors, to provide his extensive knowledge of each school’s design, and help in overseeing site plans.

In this last decade, this community’s one-cent sale tax approval, has allowed both the city and county school systems to replace more than half of their schools and complete several renovations. According to Allen, the city school system has put $60 million into the construction and renovations of its schools to date. Before closing, Allen and School Board Chairman Ricky Rowe thanked the people who really put those ESPLOST dollars to work.

“Being on the sub-contractors side of it, I must thank all these guy in the white and yellow hats standing behind us,” said Rowe. “They put in a tremendous effort, and they work godly hard. Thank you all for joining us in keeping our mission. The primary focus of every brick we lay is the emphasis on educating the children of the Valdosta City School System.”

West Gordon’s anticipated completion date is May 2008 and the school is scheduled to open at the fall start of the 2008 school year.