Cutting the ribbon Thursday were, from left, Dominic Liburdi, board chair James Beam, Mayor John Woods, Marianne Coale, Leslie Tomko. (Community School of Davidson photo)
Community School of Davidson dedicated its new high school Thursday with a ceremony a newly renovated industrial plant at 404 Armour St. More than 500 community members gathered for the event, following a sidewalk path of chalked stars or taking shuttle buses from the school’s elementary and middle school building ¾-mile away at 565 Griffith St.
Entering 9th graders will being classes there Monday.
Davidson Mayor John Woods welcomed the crowd, which was there to see how the former Liburdi Dimetrics and Turbine Services building had been transformed into a state-of-the-art high school.
Community School board Chairman James Beam acknowledged dignitaries and recounted the school’s planning. He said it was a labor of love among a team that included building owner Dominic Liburdi, architects at InSight Architecture, developers Tom Hatfield and Harold Stutts at Conner Co., school director Kevin Green, and school founder and director Joy Warner.
Mayor Woods, Mr. Liburdi, Mr. Beam, Mayor Woods and others then cut the ribbon opening the school and were backed by beaming high school principal, Dr. Ralph Pillsbury, Assistant Directors Leslie Tomko, Connie Wessner and Marianne Coale, Athletic Director Mike Kayes, and Fundraising chairs, Joyce Burke and Beth Kemp.
The school was open for families and visitors to wander through the spacious halls. The tour began with “The Commons,” featuring a 12-foot Spartan photo mosaic comprised of photos of each student and staff member, embodying the idea that everyone is a part of the big picture of CSD. This year, donors contributing $1,000 will have their photos included into a photo mosaic border framing the school’s mascot.
A crowd of more than 500 gathered to dedicate and tour the new Community School of Davidson High School on Amour Street Thursday, Aug. 12. (Community School of Davidson photo)
“Learning Street” is the main hall, with pyramidal skylights and glass walls. The school plans to seek donors to put their names on classrooms along Learning Street.
As the crowd waited for the ceremony on the steamy August evening, smells of grilled hot dogs and burgers from Kerrigans of Mooresville wafted through the air. There was ice cream, too.
Tours continued past foreign language, art, math, world history, craftsmanship, and English classrooms, down the science wing where all classrooms are fully equipped including a special environmentally-friendly drainage system. Outside the biology room are garden near the patio and a walking trail. Students will be able to take lake water samples and continue education in an outdoor setting.
The building also has an attached preschool.
At the ribbon cutting, from left: Director Kevin Green, Principal Ralph Pillsbury, Director/founder Joy Warner, Marianne Coale, Joyce Burke. (Community School of Davidson photo)
The next area toured contained drama’s black box theater and the fitness center.
The nearly completed Griffin Gym smelled of newly painted lines and logos on the maple flooring. The wood bleachers are reminiscent of traditional high school bleachers. Banner orders are being taken by Beth Kemp from local businesses and supporters of the school to hang in the gym. Spirited Cyclist and Food Lion made the scoreboards possible.
Community School of Davidson is a North Carolina charter school, providing alternative public school option for local families. Charter schools do not receive public funding for facilities. To learn more about CSD, visit www.csdnc.org
