Communities live or die based on the pride their residents take in their shared experiences: their civic clubs, their local government, their neighborhoods, their ball teams, their newspaper, their shops, their restaurants and — perhaps most importantly — their schools.
So it says a lot about Columbia that the people here were committed enough to education to approve a $10 million bond issue at 87 percent.
Now a key piece of that project, the renovation of the Crystelle Ford Auditorium, was re-dedicated Tuesday to much fanfare. Much of the public will get their first chance to see it during the annual musical in March.
“I dare say that you name a high school that from a 6A to a 1A in Mississippi, or probably in the Southeast, that has an auditorium that is this fancy. You have a Cadillac – a great auditorium. It is simply a beautiful facility,” Superintendent Jason Harris said.
And School Board President Marie Shepard pointed out that the community support is one reason the district is able to recruit top administrators and teachers.
That illustrates the importance of the auditorium beyond just a place to have shows and meetings: It reflects a city that cares about investing in education and the development of its future leaders. On that, you cannot place a price tag.
— Charlie Smith
