New BHS Is Now Under Construction

Posted by
Kelli Peacock Dunn
in News, Top Stories
Wednesday, October 28. 2009
Comments (10)
It’s official...a new Blountstown High School is now under construction!

A groundbreaking ceremony for the long awaited high school was held Tuesday morning on the site at Hwy. 69 and Mason Road. School Superintendent Tommy McClellan was joined by former Superintendent Mary Sue Neves who initiated the project during her term in office.

McClellan commended JRA Architects, Culpepper Construction, and Bailey, Bishop & Lane Engineers for all their hard work getting the project underway.

The school is being built on an 80 acre site that was purchased back in May for $539,493 from Marc Choulat and his sister, Terri.

Superintendent McClellan says students who are currently 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th graders will be the first group to attend the new high school in the 2011-12 school year. The old BHS will house BMS.

State Representative Marti Coley was also thanked for her assistance, along with Sen. Al Lawson, for working to get proviso language included in the state appropriation bill that allowed Calhoun County to be reimbursed for prior expenses on the school project.

School Board Chairwoman Kelly King commented that she is pleased to see the new BHS project moving forward and hopes to see new schools in the future for Altha, Carr, and Blountstown Elementary.
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#1 the jackle on 10/30/09 at 03:48 PM [Reply]
guess it is goodbye altha high school, and hello blountstown how school
#2 Christine M on 11/16/09 at 09:10 AM [Reply]
i still think calhoun county is making a grave mistake by combining the schools.

Editor's Note:
Been away for awhile? Missed a few papers?
The schools are not "combining". The new school under construction is "Blountstown High School". Altha students may attend if they so choose. Altha School will remain open.
#3 curious in tampa on 11/17/09 at 10:10 AM [Reply]
Just wondering, what exactly is the grave mistake?
#4 Michelle on 11/21/09 at 12:18 PM [Reply]
I'm curious as to when Altha School will get something besides portables. Altha's school is being held together with cables that are hidden by the dropped ceilings that was provided by a historical grant. While I understand that BHS needs more space, perhaps that should have been given consideration before a school was built with such architectural/decorative details. Common sense should prevail at some point. You shouldn't build a structure that can't be added on to, like was done when BHS was built in the late 80s. I will agree that BMS needed a new building; that was a long time coming.

I am also thankful that the two high schools were not combined; there was no reason for such.
#5 Anonymous on 11/24/09 at 08:08 AM [Reply]
Has anyone seen the lovely portable city Altha School has become? Do they care that Altha cannot hold district tournaments since their gym will only seat a one sided crowd? Maybe we need to get someone in office with ties to Altha as well. Combining the schools is not the solution!
#6 So Anonymous on 11/25/09 at 09:21 AM [Reply]
I believe that the schools should have never been segregated in the first place. Maybe that is where everything went wrong. Why not try another alternative and combine the schools since that situation isnt working out to well. What differences does it makes that they are combining the schools? Just as long as the students have a school that is in good condition to further there education Right? I mean before you decline this positive proposal to build a new school for both Altha and Blountstown students to attend,think about the many improvements that will take effect other than thinking negatively about the project. It does has its pros and cons but I think it will all work out for the best. But i guess its true when they say people reject the unfamiliar. Some People need to stop living in the past its 2009 almost 2010. Its time for a change don't reject this because its new.
#7 Anonymous on 11/25/09 at 06:38 PM [Reply]
The grave mistake was that Altha couldn't get over its pride and go for combining with BHS. That was the best solution.
#8 Anonymous on 12/09/09 at 01:15 AM [Reply]
They can only apply for funding for one school at a time. Altha will get the next new school.
#9 Anonymous on 12/12/09 at 12:03 PM [Reply]
Of course the Blountstown people that couldn't get over the combined school having an Altha address played no part in the whole fiasco. Now they are building a new school in a location that makes no sense for a combined high school.
#10 simi on 12/16/09 at 07:24 PM [Reply]
It's not a combined high school!!!!!!!!!!! It's a brand new BLOUNTSTOWN High School. Altha students will have the option to come to the new BLOUNTSTOWN High School.
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