The Walker County Board of Education unanimously approves construction of new schools for Dora High School and Cordova Elementary School during its Thursday board meeting. The decision comes after years of planning and budgeting for the projects, which will replace the decades-old schools.
The new schools will be built on the same sites as the existing ones, ensuring continuity for students and staff. The school system’s capital plan has included provisions for the construction of these new schools for the past decade, and the plans are finally coming to fruition.
According to Walker County Schools Superintendent Dennis Willingham, the construction of the new schools is expected to take place within the next two to three years. Finalizing plans and preparing for groundbreaking will require time for architects and contractors to complete their preparations.
“I am excited to announce that we are building new schools at Cordova Elementary and Dora High,” Willingham told The Community Journal on Friday. “We are blessed to be in such good shape financially to move forward with these projects. God has shown great favor on us. I appreciate our board members and CSFO for working so hard to make this happen.”
Willingham added the new schools will not only enhance the learning environment but also contribute to the overall growth and development of the community.
Dora Principal Paige Abner said she is thankful and excited about the new school.
“We are appreciative to the Walker County Board of Education — especially Dr. Willingham and Mrs. (Lee Ann) Headrick — for their votes to build a new Dora High School,” Abner told The Community Journal after Thursday’s meeting. “With projected growth coming from I-22, the school community will benefit immensely in the years to come as east Walker County continues to grow and educate the students of the future.”
Cordova Elementary Principal Dianne Williams was also excited about the approval to build the schools.
“I am very excited to finally be getting a new Cordova Elementary School,” she told the Community Journal on Saturday. “Our present school is the oldest in Walker County and has been needing replacing for years. Although, the present plans are not complete nor finalized and are still in the planning stages I am looking forward to the journey and completion of a new school for the future students of Cordova Elementary.”
Some Cordova residents are concerned by the plan to build the new elementary school on the same spot of land as the current one.
Cordova Mayor Jeremy Pate spoke to BOE members before the meeting, saying he felt the plan was rushed and the town had no input.
“Our community owes a responsibility to plan and provide for our students and to meet their educational needs,” Pate said. “This includes making sure that they live and learn in a vibrant community with sufficient opportunities and support. With proper planning, the placement and plans for this new school could have a positive impact on the present and future opportunities for the students.”
Willingham said he is hopeful that more specific plans and information will be available in time for the BOE’s November meeting.
