Big Changes at Carter County School System as New Central Office Opens and Hampton High School Students Relocate

Big Changes at the Carter County School System in Elizabethton!

Good morning, Elizabethton! The weather today is shaping up to be absolutely lovely with sunny skies and a high of 67°F! Just a heads up, you might want to grab a light jacket tonight with a low of 39°F and a slight chance of scattered frost. Now, let’s dive into some local news that’s truly buzzing!

Carter County School System Finds New Home

In a year full of transitions, the Carter County School System has made yet another move—this time to its new central office located in the second building of the former Workforce Development Complex at 386 Highway 91. If you’re looking for it, the entrance is on the western side of the building, closest to Judge Don Lewis Boulevard.

The staff has been busy moving all their office records, furniture, and a few sentimental items from their previous home at Keenburg School. In fact, the sign on the door still reads Northeast State Community College since they still occupy a part of the building. But don’t worry—there’s a change in the works, and soon it will proudly say Carter County School Board.

Temporary Home for Hampton High School

Exciting news continues! Starting on October 28, the former Keenburg Elementary School will become the temporary home for Hampton High School students. This decision was made after the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene on September 27, which impacted the original location of Hampton High School. The swift changes being made by Director of Schools Brandon Carpenter are crucial to ensure that students are back to learning as soon as possible.

A Brief History of the New Location

Now, for a bit of background— the building the central office now occupies has a long history. It was once known as the Great Lakes Research property and later transformed into the Workforce Development Complex after being acquired by the county. More recently, the state took ownership with plans to demolish the current structures and build new classrooms and offices to serve educational needs for the region. The current renovations and updates have faced some delays due to storm impacts but are moving forward.

Central Office Moving Details

With all the hustle and bustle of moving, the central office has now settled into its new space apart from the previous location at Duffield Academy on Academy Street. This marks the third office the Carter County School System has occupied in just one year! It’s been quite the journey, but everything is now in place.

The new setup has the reception area located on the first floor while key offices and the Board Room are found on the second floor. For anyone planning to visit the new central office, there are several parking options available. You can park in the main lot for Northeast State Community College off Industrial Drive or make use of the secondary parking lot across from the National Guard Armory on Judge Don Lewis Boulevard.

Looking Ahead

As we gear up for the arrival of Hampton High School students at their new temporary residence, the janitorial staff has been hard at work preparing Keenburg. There’s a feeling of optimism in the air as everyone is excited to welcome a new chapter in the local education scene!

As a reminder, there will be no school board meetings this month, but we’ll keep you updated as plans continue to unfold. It’s a thrilling time here in Elizabethton, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for our schools!