Community Celebrates New Teasley Middle School

Submitted by the Cherokee County School District

The Warrior Nation celebrated the opening of its newest school and the establishment of a $100,000 foundation to improve student achievement with a dedication ceremony for the new/replacement Teasley Middle School on Sept. 23.

The festivities included remarks by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo, school board Chair Janet Read and Principal Dr. Susan Zinkil, a presentation by the PTA and a special announcement by the Teasley family. The school’s chorus and band performed, and current student Kate McGee and her mother, former student Amy McGee, both spoke.

“We are very proud of Teasley Middle School and all of its terrific Raiders who are already climbing to the highest levels of teaching and learning,” Dr. Petruzielo told the audience of students, parents and staff. “The former facility was in great need of replacement due to its size and age; and we deeply appreciate the support of the entire community in seeing the dream of opening a true middle school in Warrior Nation — one that is able to accommodate students in Grades 6-8 — become reality.”

The former building, which opened in 1986, was built for half the population being served on its campus due to unprecedented enrollment growth. The new state-of-the-art school not only provides adequate space for its 1,400 students, a more efficient design and additional technology, but the Grades 6-8 configuration also enables sixth-graders to access more advanced core classes and a wider variety of electives that expose them to various possible career paths.

The construction project, which was funded by Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) revenue, was completed on time and within budget — as have all district projects constructed using voter-approved Ed SPLOST funds.

The former Teasley middle campus is the new home for ACE Academy; the larger campus has allowed it to welcome more students choosing the Move On When Ready high school program. The relocation of ACE Academy is the first phase of a multi-year plan to transform the campus into the Cherokee College and Career Academy.

In addition to board Chair Janet Read, Vice Chair Robert Wofford and board members Patsy Jordan and Rick Steiner and board members-elect Mike Chapman and Clark Menard attended the ceremony.

The ceremony celebrated the school’s history and its namesake, the late Marie Archer Teasley, whose family donated the land on which the original school was built, as well as the outstanding features on the new facility, the talent of today’s students and exciting plans for the future.

Bill Teasley, son of the late Marie Archer Teasley, spoke of her passion for the school as he announced his family’s plans to establish a $100,000 Teasley Family Foundation to “improve student achievement.”

“She was proud of this school to the day that she died,” Teasley said, noting that his mother, an avid reader, was a strong supporter of the school and the majority of her financial donations had benefitted the school’s media center. “When she talked about it, she called it ‘my school. We look forward to giving much more to the Teasley school.”

After the announcement, Principal Dr. Zinkil and Randy Martin, who served as the school’s first principal and later as a school district assistant superintendent, presented the Teasley family with a commemorative crystal vase and announced plans for a plaque to be displayed honoring the foundation’s establishment.

Martin, who knew the late Marie Archer Teasley, said she had two main priorities for the school: “That we love every student who walks through the door and we give every student a world-class education… and I believe the faculty of Teasley Middle School still does both.”

During the event, the superintendent also thanked those who made the opening possible including the school board; the school’s staff and families; Manley, Spangler and Smith Architects; Choate Construction; Bill Sebring, assistant superintendent for Support Services and Facilities and Construction Management; Phil Parrott, director, Facility Construction and Planning/Forecasting; Steve Werner, construction supervisor; and other members of his senior staff who helped with the expedited move into the facility; and the voters of Cherokee County who supported the renewal of the Education SPLOST.

“This event celebrates one of the most exciting educational events in my personal and professional career,” Dr. Zinkil said. “As a parent of two Teasley Raiders, I’m so thankful that we have a Superintendent and a School Board that makes it a priority to provide an excellent education to all of its students regardless of the school they attend and their commitment to do so in a safe and technologically rich environment. Above that, as an educator who has spent almost 24 years working with students who are at-risk, I commend them for their mission of providing unequal resources for unequal needs. This has always evident to me as not only the principal of Teasley, but also in my other leadership positions in CCSD, but this year in particular opening this school.”

Eighth-grader Kate McGee of Waleska and her mother, Amy McGee, spoke about their special connection to the school, as Kate is among the first students to attend the new campus and Mrs. McGee had the same honor at the original campus. They also share the distinction of both being students of Fred Forsh, the only faculty member who has been on staff for the school’s entire history.

“I’m beginning a new part of my family’s history,” Kate said, before joining the chorus, led by Forsh, to sing “My Favorite Things.”

(Photo: Cutting the ribbon for the new/replacement Teasley Middle School at the dedication ceremony on Sept. 23 are, from left to right, Principal Dr. Susan Zinkil, school board Vice Chair Robert Wofford, school board member Rick Steiner; Teasley family members: Eric Trope, Sylvia and Bill Teasley; school board Chair Janet Read, school board member Patsy Jordan and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo. Credit: Cherokee County School District)