Wagener-Salley High School celebrated its new building, Monday morning.
Hundreds gathered in the school’s cafeteria to celebrate the new construction on Seivern Road, near the A.L. Corbett Middle School property.
The project to redevelop the home of the War Eagles is just more than two years in the making, with the Aiken County School Board discussing whether to rebuild the school or renovate the building on 236 Main St. beginning in late 2021.
Architecture firm McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture presented plans to the board in August of 2022. Ground broke on what would be a roughly $50 million project on Nov. 1 of that same year.
Tim Yarborough, chief officer of operations and student services with the Aiken County School District, presided over the ceremony, which welcomed remarks from state and local dignitaries—including Wagener Mayor Mike Miller, Salley Mayor LaDonna Hall and Mayor of Perry James Darley, as well as school Superintendent Corey Murphy and SC Rep. Bill Taylor.
“This is your community building,” said Rep. Taylor during his remarks. “Your support got this building built. Your voices were heard. This wonderful high School is… more evidence that eastern Aiken County is not the forgotten part of this county.”
The original school was built in 1939, as Wagener High School. In 1965, it merged with Salley High School, earning its current name; and in 1970, students from A.L. Corbett Public School joined the campus amid integration.
Former Wagener-Salley staffer Alvin Corley gave commemorative remarks before the ribbon-cutting, reminiscing about J.O. Brown, one of the school’s former principals, for whom the town of Wagener’s J.O. Brown Auditorium is named.
“He was a servant of the community,” said Corley, remembering how Brown would host several local recreational events on campus. “This school is a part of the community. Let them be a part of it.”
After the ribbon was cut, attendees were welcomed to a tour of the roughly 155,000 square foot school, guided by student volunteers, including peeks at the new gymnasium, courtyard, seating/rest areas for students between classes, and special classrooms for agriculture, welding and cosmetology.
The new Wagener-Salley High School is located at 326 Seivern Rd. in Wagener. Classes in Aiken County resume on Jan. 7.
Skyler Andrews is a reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
