Maryville City Schools set to unveil renovated Fort Craig in October

Maryville City Schools set to unveil renovated Fort Craig in October

Daily Times

By: Shanon Adame

9/17/24

The interior of the old Fort Craig School is looking a little different these days.

The building has been under renovation for nine months, and after almost a year’s worth of hard work, the Maryville City Schools District Office has finally moved in and made it their permanent home.

MCS Director of Schools Mike Winstead told The Daily Times in part, “The need to expand MHS and Sam Houston Elementary prompted us to look for new space for central office staff. Most district staff were housed on the end of MHS behind the football field. (...) It is hard to justify the cost of a new building when the district already possessed a structure like Fort Craig. It was the perfect size and location to relocate the central office, Maryville Academy, and Maryville Virtual School. We knew that we could repurpose it for a fraction of the cost of a new building.”

The building site has a history that dates back to 1911 when it was known as East Side School, one of Maryville’s first public schools. In 1913, Maryville founded its first high school, which was located on the East Side School campus.

In 1928, East Side School was renamed Fort Craig, and in 1954, the current building replaced the original structure.

Fort Craig operated as an elementary school until 2012 when the site became the Boys and Girls Club of Blount County.

Now, the building houses the MCS District Office, Maryville Academy, the district’s alternative learning center and Maryville Virtual School.

MCS Communications and Special Projects Coordinator Maria Green said that before moving to the Fort Craig building, the district office was operating out of Maryville High School. She said it was cramped and couldn’t fit everyone, so some employees were set up in houses in front of Sam Houston.

“We were kind of fragmented, so this allows everybody to be together,” Greene said.

Maryville Virtual School Registrar Jennifer Davis agreed.

“It’s been a challenge, but it’s been worth it here at the end. I mean, it’s a beautiful space for us all to be in. It’s nice to have us all in one area again,” Davis said.

Prior to having a dedicated space, the MVA was operating out of the second floor of the building.

Maryville Virtual Academy allows students to attend school entirely online. In the past, they have had students who were pursuing careers in things like ballet and music, for whom virtual school made more sense with their demanding schedules.

While fully online, the students do come to the school for meetings and extra help, Greene said.

The move also allows MHS to go forward with its planned expansion which will include new classrooms and a new auditorium.

The grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 520 S. Washington St., Maryville. The ribbon cutting and ceremony will begin at 4 p.m., followed by an open house.

During the ceremony, attendees will be treated to fare that the MCS culinary students will prepare, tours and a chance to peruse old yearbooks and memorabilia on display.

Greene encouraged members of the public to attend, whether or not their children are enrolled at MCS.