When the school bell rings Aug. 13, the students and teachers of Old Dominion Christian School will find themselves in West. The school, located on Mississippi Hwy. 12, recently purchased the old East Holmes Academy facilities.
Dr. William G. Suratt, school administrator, spoke to a small crowd Monday night in their new gym on the changes and improvements they plan to make.
“I know a lot of folks over here grieved when East Holmes closed including us because these kids are our life and I hate that East Holmes closed” Suratt said. “We did a lot of praying about things and felt led to move Old Dominion over here.”
With the larger facility, Suratt said the tuition they charge would not pay the bills.
“We want folks to be able to afford a good education,” Suratt said. “Too many times we get our eyes on how much money can we make and that is not a factor at all. That is the reason why our motto is ‘for the sake of your children’ because they’re what it’s all about.”
When East Holmes closed in May 2006, the contents of the school were sold and Suratt said Old Dominion has a lot of work to get ready for their Aug. 13 opening.
“You don’t have to have an invitation,” Suratt said.
He urged people to come out and get involved in the repair of the buildings.
“We need parents’ support,” he said.
The school is seeking donations of time and supplies for just about everything from the classrooms to the cafeteria to the athletic fields.
One of the major undertakings will be the electrical work.
“Someone came in with bolt cutters and cut a lot of electrically wires,” Suratt said.
Eventually, he said he would like to put solar panels in the gym and on the football field to cut down on expenses.
“Our ultimate goal is to have this entire campus run by solar energy,” Suratt said.
He also has plans for the old high school building.
“The old high school building is the worst vandalized and it will be repaired and turned into Old Dominion Christian College” Suratt said.
The college, which would open in a year’s time, would have programs in general education plus degrees for those going into the ministry.
With new athletic facilities, Suratt said they want to start an area-wide church league for several different sports.
“It’s just an answer to our prayers” Sara McLellan, mayor of West said.
“I really have no idea how many students we will have,” Suratt said. “This campus . . .will open Aug. 13 whether we have 20 students or 200 students.”
Local News
ODCS moves to West
- Local News
-
-
Water Alert Lifted
Possumneck - Carmack Water Association
-
Renovation begins
-
Veterans to be remembered at ‘Aisle’
Memorial Day will be highlighted Monday with the observance of the Aisle of Honor at Parkway Cemetery where 331 flags will be flown to honor deceased Veterans of Attala County.
-
Nail, Halderman qualify for race
Two have qualified with the Attala County Circuit Clerk Wanda Fancher for the office of Attala County Sheriff in the special election set this week for Nov. 6 by the board of supervisors.
-
Special election date set
Following the Attala Election Commission’s request to set the date for a special election, the Attala Board of Supervisors in its regular meeting on Monday morning set the date for Nov. 6.
-
Relay for Life brings in $50,000 despite rainy weather Friday
Closing ceremonies were held shortly after 5 o’clock Saturday morning at Hugh Ellard Park ending this year’s 12-hour Relay for Life , but not ending the drive for the American Cancer Society.
-
Classes of 2012 graduate Friday
Seniors at Kosciusko, Ethel, and McAdams High Schools will receive diplomas in final exercises Friday night beginning with Ethel at 6 o’clock, Kosciusko at 7, and McAdams at 8.
-
East wing of hospital opens to the public
The east win of Montfort Jones Memorial Hopsital opened May 11 after a short ribbon cutting and a few words were spoken by officials and community leaders.
-
Sniper rifle purchased for KPD
At the request of Kosciusko Police Chief R.J. Adams, the Kosciusko Board of Aldermen approved the purchase of a sniper rifle for the department during the May 1 board meeting.
-
City Arrests
The Kosciusko Police Department reports the following arrests:
– On Monday, James C. Erving, 60, was charged with disregard for traffic device, no proof of insurance and possession of liquor in a dry county on Highway 12 West by officer Jimmy Evans. - More Local News Headlines
-
Water Alert Lifted

