Lexington-Richland Five breaks ground on new Administrative Center

LEXINGTON, SC (WOLO) — Staff with Lexington-Richland School District Five held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning for their new Administrative and Professional Development Center.

Superintendent for Lexington Five, Dr. Akil Ross,  says employees have been using the district’s current office and portables on Dutch Fork Road since 1975.

“In the 70’s there was a fire. In 1974, part of the building burned down, and in the old D-5 fashion, we just cut off the part that wasn’t burned, and that became the district office…and we still use it to this day!” he jokes.

The new site will bring all district office staff together under one roof — consolidating employees who are currently housed at schools across Lexington Five.

According to Ross, funding for the center will flow from the district’s 2024 Bond Referendum.

“We are a school district that believes in supporting its teachers. And to have a space that shows we support those who support the teachers. I think the question, ‘Who takes care of the caretakers?’ Today represents our community saying ‘We see you. We value you, and we’re going to give you a great space to work, to help our students feel loved in our schools, and grow in our schools,” says Ross.

Bond Project Manager Steve Kane has been employed with the district for 47 years and was a student nine years prior to that.

“I was thinking just about a week ago as we were approaching today, I thought wow after 40 something years we are finally here,” he says, adding, “When I was hired back in 1982, we had eight schools, and now we’re up to 23 schools with several satellite offices for district personnel. So it’s been tremendous growth — it’s really exciting to see happen,” says Kane.

Leaders also believe it’s important for students to see that the district is growing and changing.

“Doctor Ross has done a really good job of having focus groups at many different levels. So we have them for teachers, we have them for staff, and we even have them for students who come in and have an opportunity to speak with him about things they think are important. So they also get to see it, and I think the better part of this is, we’re not just investing in a building for our admin staff, but we’re investing in our schools, in our sports fields, and so they’re also benefiting from all the changes and growth that we’re trying to bring to our great district,” says Board Chair Kimberly Snipes.

The estimated completion date for the new site is January 2029.