From the Desk of the Superintendent

The Week of June 18, 2009

This week, we continued to prepare for a successful 2009-2010 school year. 

On Monday, we met with members of our Charleston Achieving Excellence committee.  These community, school and business leaders reflected on the district’s literacy data and the areas in our district where we need to accelerate our reform efforts. They provided valuable feedback about the strategic literacy interventions and supports that we are initiating this summer and next school year.  Chief Financial Officer Mike Bobby also gave a quick overview of the FY10 budget.

Over the years, we have really seen our Capital Improvements (bond-funded, not part of the traditional “General Operating Fund” budget process that pays for people, salaries, etc.) investments pay off.  Over the course of the current (2005-2010) capital program, we’ve seen a county transformed—aged buildings and eyesores have become shining, bright centers of 21st Century excellence that students and communities are proud of.  In addition, millions and millions of dollars have been pumped back into the local economy. 

Yesterday, I had the distinct pleasure to visit one of our new state-of-the-art facilities.  Moultrie Middle School was designed to pay homage to the original Moultrie High School that was also located on this historic campus.  The new middle school has been designed as a world-class sustainable school with a core to support 1200 students, and it will open with the capacity for 900 middle school students in grades 6-8.  Each grade has a separate wing, and all of the middle school exploratory courses of study and support areas are in a common area for all students to use.  The Town of Mt Pleasant has constructed a new Farmers Market on the campus that will also provide outdoor teaching stations for the school.

Moultrie Middle will move from its swing campus this summer and start the SY2009/2010 at its new school.  All construction items are planned for completion by the first week in July and will be ready for the school’s administration to move in by mid-July.   I wanted to share photos of the facility taken during my visit.   To learn more about this construction and see other photos, visit the Capital Improvements page devoted to this project.

I want to thank the talented and dedicated professionals listed below who have been working tirelessly on this project.   They have created an incredible facility which will allow our students to develop the skills they need to succeed in school and far beyond.  

• Architect- Glick Boehm and Associates
• General Contractor- MB Kahn
  • Project Manager-Chris Litwin
  • Superintendent - Joe Moretti
• Construction Manager
  • Program Director-Rick Holt
  • Construction Manager- Ed Strack
  • Site Manager- Larry Jordan