[slideshow_deploy id=’84675′]
Elected officials, members of the Emereau: Bladen Charter School board, and perspective parents, students and other community members gathered on Tuesday afternoon for a groundbreaking and celebration. The event was held under warm, sunny skies and those gathered were encouraged to walk through the building.
Emereau:Bladen Board Chairman Eddie Madden described the building during the event and a blue print was available for visitors to view. The building is currently under construction by local general contracting company, DeVane Builders, and when completed will measure 20,000 square feet and will house classes from kindergarten through grade 6. The school will be expanded by one grade level each year until grade 12, according to Madden.
Kate Alice Dunaway recited the mission of Emereau:Bladen. “At Emereau, we illuminate to embark; we investigate to discover; we innovate to transform; we cultivate to sustain; we celebrate to thrive – realizing the potential within us – we graduate. E=i(3)c(2)g!”
Elizabethtown Mayor Sylvia Campbell welcomed the board members and said the town officials are excited to have Emereau:Bladen in the town. She said the school will be an asset to the whole community.
Gardner Altman spoke and said he grew up in a rural community and moved to Bladen County in 1997. He said he has seen changes take place over the years in primary and secondary education.
Altman said that while Bladen County has good schools Emereau:Bladen is here to become part of the educational process. He said because it is a charter school which is a tuition free public school, the staff has some flexibility. Altman said the school will enrich the educational process in Bladen County.
The school is slated to open on a August 1 and enrollment is currently ongoing. The school is located at 995 Airport Road, Elizabethtown.
Dignitaries then moved outside for the groundbreaking. The Rev. David Holloway gave the benediction following the groundbreaking.
About Author
