Clarkdale Breaks Ground on New School

Tuesday was a historic day for Clarkdale Elementary and the community that supports it.

More than 150 members of the community turned out in the 85-degree heat for the groundbreaking ceremony for the school that will replace the one that was ruined by the September floods and subsequent heavy rains.

With real hard hats and gold-plated shovels, the school’s principal, assistant principal and other community members symbolically “broke ground” for the new school, which will be adjacent to Cooper Middle School and is to be completed by August 2012.

“We look forward to that day and will have another ceremony on that day,” said Clarkdale Principal Marjorie Bickerstaff about the school’s future grand opening.

For nearly two years, the students and faculty of Clarkdale have been divided between two nearby schools. Kindergarten through second grade students are housed at Compton Elementary, while second through fifth graders are temporarily housed at Austell Intermediate.

During this time, the community has united to help the children and the staff in whatever ways possible.

Bickerstaff recognized two local churches, Due West United Methodist–her home church– and Ewing Road Baptist Church, which is now next door to the new Clarkdale.

The pastors, Dr. Tom Davis of Due West United Methodist Church and Michael Stovall of Ewing Road Baptist Church, of both churches led prayers during the ceremony. Ewing Road Baptist has now become a community partner for the school.

Many familiar faces were in the large crowd gathered behind Cooper Middle School on Tuesday afternoon including Mayor Joe Jerkins, Cobb Board of Education members, Lynnda Crowder-Eagle and David Banks, former Cobb Board of Education member and former Clarkdale Principal Betty Gray, Sen. Steve Thompson and his brother and Cobb Commissioner Woody Thompson as well as Chief SPLOST Administrative Officer Doug Shepard and Area 1 Superintendent Ed Thayer.

Clarkdale Elementary’s band, the only elementary school band in the county, along with the school’s chorus entertained the crowd with songs of hope, such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Throughout the gathering, neighbors, parents, former students reunited and embraced.

One sentiment echoed and felt throughout the event was that Clarkdale is more than a school. It’s a community.

“You felt very much a part of that whole culture of that school. You had ownership of it. I think it was the most intimate principalship that I had. I knew everybody…It was wonderful to have that kind of support,” said Gray.