School district debuts new cafeteria, concession stand

After 13 months of construction, students at Shannon High School and Shannon Middle School are enjoying breakfasts and lunches in a brand new combination cafeteria and auditorium.

Lee County School Board members, district officers and school administrators officially cut the ribbon for the 350-seat facility during a board meeting held there Tuesday. Students have been using the cafeteria since August 5.

The 11,000-square-foot cafeteria also houses a concession stand for the nearby football stadium and includes restrooms that are accessible from the exterior for use by people at the stadium. The cost of the building was approximately $2.4 million including the cafeteria equipment that was purchased for the kitchen; some of the equipment is new and some existing was used.

Funding came from the $13.5 million bond issue passed by Lee County voters two years ago. Projects at other schools, except for Guntown Middle School, have been completed. The GMS work was expanded after it was determined the old school building could not be refurbished; it has been demolished and is being replaced by a new classroom/office structure.

“We are so thankful Lee County voters passed this to allow this new facility,” said School Board President Sherry Mask. A new two-story classroom/office building is being constructed adjacent to the cafeteria and is slated to be completed next summer.

“We hope y’all are as proud of this as we are,” Mask told parents and students in the audience.

Shannon High School Principal Bill Rosenthal said the facility has already been used for one teaching event, which was attended by 300 students: “Not only is this helping feed the kids but it has an educational element, too,” he said.

The cafeteria features unique tables that can be converted to benches when the need arises.