BRYSON CITY, N.C. — On Thursday, October 29, Swain County Schools officially broke ground on the new Swain Middle School facility, marking a historic turning point for public education in Swain County. Under sunny autumn skies, students, educators, local and state leaders, and community members gathered at 1:00 p.m. to celebrate the commencement of construction on the modern campus.
The ceremony brought together key community champions, elected leaders, and educational partners whose collaborative efforts helped bring the transformative $52 million project to life.
Honoring Leadership, Vision, and Community Partnership
Swain County Superintendent Dr. Brandon Sutton opened and closed the ceremony, reflecting on the collective determination required to reach this milestone.
“This groundbreaking represents far more than just turning dirt—it represents our county’s unwavering commitment to our children’s future,” said Dr. Sutton. “Generations of students and educators will benefit from the spaces we begin building today.”
Speakers throughout the afternoon honored both the history that brought the district to this day and the bright future ahead:
Dr. Brandon Sutton, Superintendent, opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks and later delivered closing reflections.
Ryan McMahan, Swain Middle School Principal, spoke to the daily impact the state-of-the-art learning environment will have on student achievement and school culture.
Mitch Carson, Swain County Board of Education Chairman, recognized the board's steadfast focus on student-centered facilities.
Tommy Dills, Swain County Manager, highlighted the strong intergovernmental cooperation between the county and the school district that made the project possible.
Representative Anna Ferguson and Congressman Chuck Edwards offered remarks commending Swain County’s dedication to public education and modern infrastructure.
Mark Sale, former Swain County Schools Superintendent, was recognized for his foundational vision and early leadership in securing the state needs-based capital grant funding.
Emily Kite, K-12 Market Leader and Principal at LS3P, shared insights into the architectural design and how the campus will blend modern instructional functionality with the natural beauty of the surrounding community.
The Class of 2031: Future Inaugural Eighth Graders
Among the most special guests of honor were Swain County’s current 6th-grade students, who sat front and center during the ceremony. In a poignant moment highlighting the project’s timeline, school leaders noted that these exact students will be the very first class to walk the halls as 8th graders when the new building officially opens its doors.
Adding even deeper community pride to the occasion is the team bringing the school to reality: a significant number of Swain County Schools alumni are actively working on the project across design, engineering, construction, and management teams—literally building the future of their own alma mater.
Looking Ahead
Following remarks, leadership teams, dignitaries, and student representatives officially turned the ceremonial first shovels of earth. Attendees then gathered for light refreshments and viewed project renderings depicting the new academic wings, state-of-the-art gymnasium, expanded cafeteria, and athletic facilities.
Community members can track the progress of the build through the district’s live construction dashboard on the Swain County Schools website.