Car riders at Menlo School noticed a big change as they came back from fall break on Monday morning.  Work has started on clearing the land for the construction of the new Menlo School building and trees behind the school were taken down between the driveway and the soccer field.

Earlier this year, the Chattooga Board of Education voted to “decommission” the existing building.  Some of the areas currently at Menlo School date back more than 80 years.  The Menlo School facilities are the oldest school facilities in Chattooga County still in use.

Chattooga Board of Education Chairman Eddie Elsberry told WZQZ News earlier this year that decommissioning the school was the first step in the process to build a new facility.  Elsberry said, ” A decommissioned (school facility) can continue to be occupied but it does not earn money. Instead, the earned money is at a higher rate toward the future school.”  Elsberry estimated the system saved about $3 million by decommissioning the building in July.