From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools (TCS) officially opened its new Central Office on Thursday, April 28, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included many dignitaries, including Alabama State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey.
The new facility at 476 Main Street – features approximately 20,000 square feet of collaborative meeting spaces, offices, and training rooms across two floors. It also includes a Family Resource Center that will provide helpful services for TCS families across a broad spectrum of needs. In addition, the parking lot includes 100 regular parking spaces and five ADA-compliant parking spaces.
Construction of the building has been fully funded by the Public School and College Authority (PSCA) via the State of Alabama. These funds do not have to be reimbursed to the state by the TCS Board of Education. The City of Trussville donated the land to be the first new building in the downtown redevelopment project.
As a school system formed in 2005, TCS Central Office employees operated out of a former kindergarten annex located at 113 North Chalkville Raod. The new Central Office reunites most every Central Office department, some of which operated out of other TCS facilities due to lack of space at the Chalkville Raod location.
TCS Superintendent Dr. Patti Neill welcomes the new space and all it means for teamwork and, ultimately, student success.
“As our school system continues to grow, it becomes evident that the repurposed building was incompatible with our needs and our identity,” Neill said. “The strength and stature of this building reflect and symbolize the achievement and the accomplishments of our school system. To have all of our central services under one roof will increase the overall operational efficiency of the school system.”
TCS school officials broke ground on the facility on January 8, 2021. Despite several weather delays, the facility opened within weeks of its initial target completion date, receiving a certificate of occupancy on April 14, 2022. The building was designed by Lathan Architects in Hoover and built by Blalock Company in Trussville.