(FRUITLAND Md.) - Teachers are preparing for one-thousand children to attend the new Bennett Middle School next week in Fruitland.
The original Bennett Middle School was constructed in 1966. The old school did not have proper air conditioning and had to include 11 portable classrooms to hold all of the students.
This year thanks to funding of more than $60 million from the county and state, it is out with the old and in with the new.
Principal Liza Hastings said this new high performance facility will help cut down on discipline problems and create a healthy learning environment.
"I'm proud that my staff and students are getting the building they deserve," Hastings said. "I'm expecting a much stronger feeling of community and safety. We are all together in one building now. We can keep the building locked and monitor who comes in and out. We also have wider hallways to cut down on the traffic in the halls."
Coordinator of Maintenance Brian Foret said Bennett Middle School was built with sustainability in mind.
"It feels great to be a part of a team that is building schools for the future," Foret said.
The new middle school is equipped with solar panels, outdoor classrooms, recycling areas and motioned censored lighting. Foret said the new innovative, Eco-friendly design will save 70% on electricity.
Laverne Harmon said this is her 38th year as an art teacher at Bennett Middle School.
"I can't even describe the feeling I have because it's beyond happy," Harmon said. "It has been a long time. 38 years is a long time."
Harmon said her 38th year will be her last. She said she is retiring after this year, and she is happy to be ending her career with something new.
Students will start at Bennett Middle School in Fruitland Monday.