What does the future hold for the Bell Street Middle School facility? Several members of the community addressed the Laurens County School District 56 Board of Trustees at their meeting last night asking just that question.
Clinton City Councilwoman Shirley Jenkins addressed the school board as a private citizen. She told the trustees that the community did not want to see Bell Street suffer the same fate as the Martha Dendy School, being abandoned then vandalized and becoming nothing more than a hazard and an eyesore. Jean Burnside related the history of Bell Street, including its early connection to Friendship AME Church, and provided a brief summary of the accomplishments of some Bell Street High graduates. Those included business owners, professionals, a graduate who worked for 25 years at the White House as a U.S. Secret Service agent and a host of teachers in several states for whom Bell Street was their educational launching pad. She said that the story of Bell Street was a large part of the story of Clinton, not just for the African-American community but for the community at large.
Rev. Stephen Evans, pastor of Friendship AME, recounted the heritage of Bell Street and the importance the facility to his congregation and to the entire community. He asked the board if they had already decided the fate of Bell Street and, if so, was input sought from the community before arriving at their decision?
A recurring theme among all of the speakers was that Bell Street still had value and could be put to use for the good of the community instead of simply being abandoned and allowed to rot. Suggestions ranging from a community center to an incubator for small businesses were put forward.
School Board Chairman Jim Barton thanked those who spoke for their input and assured them that their voices had been heard by the board.