Thursday, April 15, 2010 —
This year as Pfeiffer University commemorates 125 years since its inception, the institution will celebrate this week yet another important milestone: the construction of a new facility on its campus for Gray Stone Day School, a public charter high school for approximately 300 students that has been on the university’s campus since 2002.
Pfeiffer recently donated 18 acres of its land, with an estimated value of $400,000, to Gray Stone, which has occupied an academic building on the campus for eight years. The college preparatory school attracts students from eight counties and 10 school districts, including Meck-lenburg, the state’s largest.
A groundbreaking was conducted Wednesday morning behind Merner Gymnasium on a new $7.2 million facility that will allow the school to meet its growing enrollment demands.
“For six years, students asked, ‘when are we going to build our building?’” said Helen Nance, Gray Stone’s chief administrative officer.
“Today, I can tell them now,” she said emphatically during her opening comments before the crowd of hundreds gathered on the grounds of what will become the school in the coming months.
Nance also thanked many for their continued support of the school’s efforts.
Dr. Charles Ambrose, president of Pfeiffer University, followed with similar votes of thanks and a message to all.
“Without the community saying there was a need and putting in the sweat equity, we wouldn’t be here today,” he said.
Highlighting Gray Stone’s shared usage of the school’s Harris building, which houses the science division, many are looking forward to the addition that will enhance the area.
“You’re a part of our family here, and we’re very grateful that the educational Village of Misenheimer continues to grow,” Ambrose said.
The gift of property is also important to Gray Stone because a state statute prohibits charter schools from using any state-issued funding to purchase land or facilities, according to Jack Moyer, director of charter schools for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, who also made comments during the groundbreaking.
Charter schools depend on private donations or financial institutions to subsidize their building needs.
“This is truly exciting. We will soon have 100 charter schools in the state,” Moyer said.
“We have to remember that charter schools are schools of choice and you choose to be here,” he continued, addressing a gathering of students.
“The choice that you made is a wise choice, and with a school like yours known for its service record, I hope you keep the motto of ‘enter to learn, depart to serve’ close to your hearts.”
Jamie Bowles, project manager with John S. Clark Company, LLC, the general contractor for the project, presented Nance and H. Earl Singletary Jr., chairman of the school’s board of directors, with a commerative shovel just before the ceremonial groundbreaking took place, with governmental and school officials and representatives from various groups in attendance.
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An illustration shows what the new Gray Stone Day School could look like. The $7.2 million facility will be constructed on 18 acres donated by Pfeiffer University.
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H. Earl Singletary Jr., chairman of Gray Stone’s board of directors, and Chief Administrative Officer Helen Nance were presented with a commemorative shovel prior to the groundbreaking ceremony.
Discussion
New look at Gray Stone revealed
Officials break ground on new school in Misenheimer
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