Construction Begins for New Sparkman Intermediate School in Harvest, Alabama
Harvest, Alabama is buzzing with excitement as the Madison County School System (MCSS) kicks off the construction of a brand-new school for the first time in a decade. On a sunny Friday, school officials and community members gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Sparkman Intermediate School, which will be located off of McKee Road. This new school is set to cater to students in grades four through six and will help ease the issue of overcrowding currently faced by nearby schools.
A Long-Awaited Need
During the ceremony, MCSS Superintendent, Ken Kubik, shared his enthusiasm for this significant step forward. He explained that the decision to build an intermediate school stemmed from the need to address the growing number of students in the area. “It’s because of the fact that we’re overcrowded in those schools, and that’s what drove this decision to put it here,” said Kubik.
The addition of Sparkman Intermediate School marks a much-anticipated solution. “We didn’t think we were going to be able to see a school built,” he reminisced. This project comes in response to a crucial question that has been on many minds: how can we manage the increasing student population without resorting to portable classrooms or building wings onto existing schools?
What to Expect from Sparkman Intermediate School
So, what can students and parents look forward to at Sparkman Intermediate? The school will feature 44 general classrooms, alongside four specially designed classrooms for special needs students. It will also boast dedicated spaces for arts and music, including an art room, a band room, and two extended learning areas. With a capacity for 1,200 students, it is expected that around 800 students will enroll when it opens its doors, which is slated for the start of the 2026/2027 school year.
Funding the Future
How is MCSS funding this exciting new venture? Apart from a generous $2 million grant, Superintendent Kubik revealed that the project is being financed solely by the school system itself. “What’s really unique about this project is that we’re paying as we go,” he explained proudly. “It’s unheard of to pay for a school without going into debt.” This careful budgeting and planning ensure that the school not only serves its students now but is sustainable for future generations.
Community and Impact
The new Sparkman Intermediate School will draw students from nearby institutions including Madison Crossroads Elementary, Harvest Elementary, and Sparkman Middle School. The consolidation of students into this new school is expected to relieve the pressures faced by existing facilities and create a more comfortable learning environment for everyone involved. As Superintendent Kubik put it, “It’s exciting to be able to create more space for students and plan for future growth.”
Looking Ahead
With construction now underway, the community is rallying behind this fresh new chapter for local education. The excitement and anticipation surrounding the opening of Sparkman Intermediate School highlight the collective commitment of the school system to provide a quality education for its students amidst a growing population. Harvest is poised for growth, and with Sparkman Intermediate leading the way, the future is looking brighter than ever!
