Green Space Proposed for Soon-To-Be Former SMS

The Oconee school trustees are deliberating over the future of the existing Seneca Middle School building and property, which is set to be vacated next year due to the construction of a new school on Wells Highway.

During a board meeting on Monday, the trustees were presented with a proposal by Mark Fischer, the district’s new conservationist. Fischer, who is concerned about the escalating development in the area, noted that land near the current middle school was part of the country’s first farm conservation district, established by Mrs. Ploma Adams.

He suggested that the trustees consider demolishing some or all of the existing structures to make way for a park…

Lynn Martin, another attendee at the meeting, argued against abandoning a well-maintained school like Tamassee-Salem Elementary. Stephen Dow also shared his thoughts with the trustees in a three-page document.

Under a section titled “Responsibility to Maintain”, he wrote about the obligation that comes with constructing large structures like schools or hospitals. He emphasized that these buildings cannot simply be discarded like old clothing and criticized the ‘throw-away’ mentality towards older facilities in Oconee County.

Dow cited the old county courthouse, built in 1956, as an example of a structure now facing potential demolition due to this mindset.