By Daniel L. Bamberg
It was exactly two years ago this week when Bibb County residents witnessed a place full of fond memories burn before their eyes. Some wept openly but most were shocked and dismayed.
When the smoke settled there wasn’t a way to salvage the old building, which stood for nearly 98 year-old building. It was a historical building, which stood through two world wars and the great depression. It was a place that represented historical when desegregation came south. It was a High School, a Junior High School and finally burning to the ground as the offices for the Bibb County Board of Education. A historical landmark of the county seat, Centreville was in ruins.
From the ashes arose a phoenix, on Thursday, December 16th. Atop the front steps and beyond the iconic pillars, oddly similar to that of the given up ghost, a new building stood proud. It was the grand opening for the new Bibb County Board of Education building.
Even with smell of fresh paint and carpet it felt like something familiar. As citizens and leaders from all over the county entered into the new gymnasium, inside of the building, there was a look of wonder upon their faces. It was familiar and similar, but also new, exciting and all together different.
Current Bibb County Schools Superintendent, Don Elam appeared enthusiastically to those in attendance. This would be among his last official moments as a part of the system. Yet it wasn’t simply timeliness, which would make the grand opening seem so important for Elam. The new Board of Education building was the last step in many momentous changes, which took place under his administration.
Elam explained before the ribbon cutting on Thursday, that Dr. Alesa Judd was perhaps the most important person involved in the process constructing a new building. “She put her foot down,” explained Elam. “When we found out that all we were going to get from the state after the fire was $1,200,000.00 unless we constructed a new building. Dr. Judd hollered at me, ‘We need a board office, we need a board office.’
“After that I went into my office for a few hours and sulled up because she hollered at me, which she often does.”
Elam then explains after sleeping on the idea, he came back in full agreement with Dr. Judd. What followed was the Bibb County School System’s stand to get the necessary funds from the state following the fire, for a new building. Elam explains it wasn’t easy because they were being nitpicked to death in the end however, the state afforded repercussion funds of to the Bibb County Board of Education for a new building.
Just as the School System had done with the West Blocton High School gymnasium, renovations at 6 county schools, and with the construction of a brand new Bibb County High School, the building would be cutting edge and cost effective.
Elam thanked the construction crew, the architects Mark Barrett and Walter McKee, contractor Mike Smitherman, and the construction crew. He also thanked Amy Weaver, who was hired to do interior design along with other aspects of the new building.
Elam also recognized members of the Board of Education and other dignitaries who were present. He recognized Superintendent-Elect Greg Blake, who did not show for the grand opening.
2009 Auburn University Tiger Walk inductee, Pat Duke was also on hand. Duke graduated from Bibb County High School. The former All-American baseball catcher told a few stories about his time in baseball and explained he was proud to be a native of Bibb County.
Following Duke’s comments Bibb County Probate Judge, Jerry Pow interrupted Dr. Elam to give a few words of his own. Pow got very emotional as he explained the pride he had in knowing his friend Don Elam grow from a slightly mischievous youth to a veteran educator, honored and regarded in two states.
“Don has given 39 ½ years of his life to education,” explained Pow as he seemed to hold back tears. “When we were in school Don wouldn’t have gotten the first vote as Superintendent of Education.” Pow paused as the audience took well to a perfectly delivered punch line.
“He came home and gave the last four years in changing the looks and the face of education in Bibb County Schools.” Pow then turned to Elam and said, “thank you.” Everyone in attendance stood to applaud Dr. Elam for his service.
“I appreciate that,” explained Elam. “Anything I’ve done has always been for the children. I think my staff did a good thing for them here in Bibb County. I go out a happy man.”
The ribbon was cut and everyone began an unguided tour of the exciting new building.
The museum-like aspect of the building seemed to have the greatest appeal on everyone. A lot of Bibb County School’s history is preserved in the hallways and inside glass cases in the first hallways. Many were also impressed with the brand new state of the art Board Room and the rolling records file cabinets.
According to Elam, most of the offices, which appeared huge, were built so in order to prepare for any possible expansion. “Rather than building two offices now and spending money on what will be unoccupied space, we built big rooms which can be turned into two rooms affordably in the future.
There was unanimous enthusiasm as members of the community admired what Bibb County Commissioner Walter Sansing referred to as “A classy example of our history and something this community should be very proud of.”
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