Dist. 2 Considers Middle Schools Merger

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson School Dist. 2 is considering asking voters to approve a measure to merge the district’s two aging middle schools.

Both Belton Middle School and Honea Path Middle School are housed in buildings constructed in the 1950s and in need of millions in upgrades and updates.

With just over 500 students, Belton Middle School is located in the old Belton High School and Honea Path Middle School in the old Geer Gant High School. The current Belton-Honea Path High School was formed in 1966 when the two schools merged. Geer Gant, the historic African-American school, joined the two other high schools as part of integration of schools in 1969.

While both middle schools have received some updates over the years, there are classrooms in both schools with a single electrical outlet, which are still not suited for modern classrooms. The aging buildings also are prone to leaks with each rain event, and are in need of significant upgrades and renovations. A current detailed engineering study is under way to provide an estimate of the exact cost of the upgrades to the buildings which are both more than 70 years old.

A new 140,000 square-feet facility would provide new and expanded opportunities in both academics and athletics for students, according to Superintendent Jason Johns. The plans are to locate the new school behind the current high school where the district already owns the land. The next step will be for the district’s board of trustees to provide the opportunity for voters to decide on the merger in a special election referendum later this year. The estimated cost of $70 million would be paid for through bond issues if approved by voters.

Johns outlines the need and benefits of a single middle school in this interview with the Anderson Observer.