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On Thursday, The Troup County School System was joined by leaders from LaGrange and Troup County to cut the ribbon on the new Rosemont School.

While not completely finished, the school is expected to be fully ready for when school starts in the fall. Former School Superintendent Brian Shumate estimated that the building is 98 percent ready.

From the beginning, architects involved the community and teachers about their vision for the new school.

“The strong sense of community and pairing that with innovative thinking we always want our Tiger cubs to be prepared to be the leaders that our community needs for the future,” Rosemont Principal Marti Hornsby said. “I think this building is truly a reflection of that.”

The new school will feature innovative new learning spaces like green power, career and agriculture labs as well as outdoor learning spaces in the enclosed courtyard. The new building has a full-size, expandable gymnasium. The tiny cafeteria at the old school has been replaced with a much larger one with plenty of room for visiting parents. And at the teacher’s request, plenty of adult bathrooms.

“This would not be possible without our E-SPLOST sales tax. Everything you see here has been paid for with E-SPLOST. Those funds are not just about money. It’s about providing a place for future generations to come, not just today’s students,” said Pennie Tucker, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for TCSS.

New School Superintendent Dr. Rachel Hazel said she had little to do with the new school, noting Shumate and his staff did all the hard work and visioning but she said they “nailed it.”

“As a former elementary school principal, I can’t imagine a better place for teachers and students to learn. This is absolutely beautiful. This is something that this community and this county should be very proud of. The board has supported it all along the way and I am thrilled to cut the ribbon and get our kids and our families in here so that the community can enjoy everything that it is,” Hazel said.

The public will have an opportunity to view this building and Meet the Teacher Day on July 31.