Walton High Celebrates Opening Of $48M Building In Marietta

MARIETTA, GA -- Local politicians, county leaders and school administrators gathered this week for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the official opening of a new $48-million building at Walton High School in Marietta. Attendees included U.S. Rep Karen Handel, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, State School Superintendent Richard Woods; Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott and a host of other luminaries.

Before a crowd of nearly 300 people on Sunday, Principal Judy McNeill and CCSD Board Vice Chairman Scott Sweeney used the opportunity to showcase Walton, one of the nation's top schools, one day before classes began in the district. (SIGN UP: For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. Or if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

The building came to fruition after voters approved a Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) in 2013. “The community came out and voted for SPLOST. We have the opportunity to construct a great facility like this one,” Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said, according to a CCSD news release.

“Walton is what it is, not because of the bricks and mortar, but because of the teachers, and the parents, and the kids who strive for excellence,” Isakson was quoted as saying.

Isakson joined Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, Cobb County School District Board members and hundreds of others for a ribbon cutting of the $48 million structure built with Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars approved by voters in March of 2013.

Construction on the project is not finished; the next phase of work involves building a performing arts center and athletic buildings, the district said. The entire project is due to be completed in early 2019.

“I want to thank this community immensely for your support,” said Sweeney. “Without SPLOST, this building would not be a reality.”

Images via CCSD