Big plans are in store for the former Henry County Middle School campus.
The Henry County Board of Education voted at its December 9 regular business meeting in favor of a recommendation to repurpose the facility “as a professional learning, employee training, adult learning and student support facility.” Its new official name is Henry County Schools Learning and Support Center at Henry County Middle.
Dr. April Madden, the district’s chief family and student support services officer, gave an update to the board during its workshop meeting on the various opportunities available for the use of the site, which became vacant when the new McDonough Middle School opened. The gym on the old campus is already being leased to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Georgia under a deal that was finalized last month.
Madden called the MMS opening “a joyous occasion” while adding that it almost immediately brought about questions about what to do with HCMS. A listening tour with district superintendent Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis was followed by an event with more than 100 participants who “put their brains together to see what would be the most impactful use of Henry County Middle School,” Madden said. Representatives of every division in the school district shared their perspectives on this, she added.
Among the possible service areas that Madden said emerged from conversations were: a welcome center; youth & community development and engagement; employment training; adult learning programs; wellness programs; and district professional development.
She pointed out that the district’s support services that are currently housed in trailers next to the administrative building could be moved into a support center on the HCMS campus, allowing for the expansion of services offered while keeping everything in one location.
Another possibility presented by Madden was that a number of adult education programs could be housed there, along with professional development opportunities for current classified employees to allow them to pursue advancement – from parapro to teacher, for example. Training could also be offered to parents in literacy and other areas so they are better equipped to support their students at home.
The proposed new use of the HCMS facility was met with enthusiasm across the board.
“It has been a bright spot in the community,” Holly Cobb said of the campus. “I’m glad that it will continue to be a bright spot.”
Dr. Pam Nutt echoed those sentiments. “I’m so glad we are not going to walk away from this building,” she said. “There is a lot we can do.”
Nutt also asked for clarification about students being housed in the HCMS buildings. Chief operations officer Josh Malcom said that one of the stipulations of the $10 million received from the state for McDonough Middle School’s construction was that HCMS had to be shut down and repurposed. It can be used for various programs but cannot be a permanent daytime location for students, he said.
