Groundbreaking Ceremony for FES & Transportation Building - 11/30/2022
Groundbreaking Ceremony for FES & Transportation Building - 11/30/2022
The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Fortville Elementary School (FES) and the Transportation Building was held on November 30 and began with a welcome from Superintendent Dr. Jack Parker. Mt. Vernon Board of Trustees President, Kellie Freeman, shared how the community support led to this Future Growth Plan initiative. James Gulley with the construction firm, AECOM Hunt, and Mark Beebe with the architecture firm, Beebe Design, talked about the process and collaboration with not only Mt. Vernon staff but also with the Town of Fortville. The planner for the Town of Fortville, Adam Zaklikowski, shared what an important project this build is to the town, and FES Principal Dr. Vince Edwards discussed how the new elementary will enhance the educational experience for students. Dr. Edwards also expressed how this new elementary will be living our district's mission: Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation will Engage, Educate and Empower today's students to seize tomorrow's opportunities.
After the ceremony, the traditional “turning dirt” picture was taken with key representatives from the parties that have worked intently on the project. It was followed by a second picture with Representative Chris Jeter, additional representatives involved with the project and the FES fifth grade student council standing in the front line showcasing their handmade banner.
Superintendent Dr. Parker recently shared a video with staff and parents/guardians highlighting the timeline of building these projects. FES is anticipated to be open for the 2025-2026 school year, the Transportation Building is scheduled to be functioning in December of 2023 and the new road on the Fortville campus that will help with traffic congestion should be open by August 2023. For additional details, please see Dr. Parker's six-minute video explaining how enrollment growth has impacted the timeline.
With it being the end of November and the need for a tent with sides and heater for the ceremony, there were only 40 chairs that were filled with town officials, legislative officials, a few representatives from the MV transportation council, media, 10 Fortville Elementary Student Council members, MVCSC Board of Trustees, construction officials and more. The ceremony had several transportation and construction representatives, as well as school leaders, standing in the back. Had it been summer, the invitation would have been open as Mt. Vernon would not have had to have everyone in a tent with sides. The ceremony was placed on MVCSC's YouTube Channel so anyone can watch and celebrate the ceremony.
