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Catawba County Schools Holds Groundbreaking for New Maiden Elementary School

MAIDEN, September 15, 2022 -- A community groundbreaking celebration was held on Thursday, September 15, at 9 a.m. to commemorate the construction of the new Maiden Elementary School. The celebration was held at the school site at 201 North Main Avenue on the track area of the current school. 

Distinguished guests at the event included Catawba County Board of Education members, Catawba County Commissioners, the County Manager, and Town of Maiden officials. Also in attendance were current and former district and school personnel as well as the students and staff of Maiden Elementary. Dr. Matt Stover, Superintendent, noted that “memories don’t fade, but buildings do, and we  are super excited to match the outside to the inside–that of excellence for our students and staff.”  Principal Shannon Plemmons said, “This is an exciting time not only for our students and staff but for everybody in the town of Maiden.” The celebration concluded with distinguished guests and dignitaries taking turns breaking ground with ceremonial “Maiden blue” shovels and the singing of the Maiden Elementary School song.

The original three-story Maiden Elementary School building, which no longer exists, opened in 1926. Parts of the current Maiden Elementary facilities (the gym) date to 1928, with the primary portion of the building being 1950s-era construction. Additions to the facility were made in the 1960s and ‘70s, with offices, the media center, and classroom space added in 1988.

The new 93,000 square feet, 29.3 million dollar construction is expected to start this fall. Dan Moore, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, indicates that it typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete a school of the planned size.

 

Groundbreaking Ceremony Program (including full list of guests and speakers)

Photo credit: Elisha James, Maiden Elementary; and Kim Jordan, Director of Mktg/Comm

 

Catawba County Board of Education (l-r): Glenn Fulbright, Leslie Barnette (chair), Donna Lutz-Carpenter, Ronn Abernathy, Becky Brittain (Vice Chair), Annette Richards, Jeff Taylor


 

Catawba County Board of Commissioners (l-r): Commissioner Barbara Beatty, Commissioner Sherry Butler, Commissioner Kitty Barnes, Commissioner Austin Allran, and Catawba County Manager Mary Furtado. 

 

Catawba County Schools Representatives and Distinguished Guests (l-r): Rae Thompson (Asst. Supt. HR), Karla Aldridge (Chief Financial Officer), Dr. Matthew Stover (Superintendent), Dan Moore (Asst. Supt. of Operations, Kevin Moretz (Construction Project Mgr), Mark Baucom (President and CEO Hickory Construction Company), Greg Melton (Architect, Holland & Hamrick Architects, PA), Shannon Plemmons (Principal, Maiden Elementary), Heather Kelly (Asst. Principal, Maiden Elementary), Morgan Williams (Asst. Director Maintenance and Construction), Robert Hoyle (Director Maintenance and Construction)


 

Town of Maiden Representatives (l-r): Todd Herms (Town Mgr), Bob Sigmon (Councilman), Cameron Ramseur (Councilman), Beth Rudisill (Mayor Pro Tem), Holly Crafton-Lay (Councilwoman), Max Bumgarner (Mayor), and Shannon Plemmons (Maiden Elementary Principal)

 

Dr. Leslie Barnette, BOE Chair, welcomes guests.

 

Dr. Matthew Stover, Superintendent, makes opening remarks.

 

Principal Shannon Plemmons recognizes current and former staff members and guests.