School Dist. 2 to Vote Saturday on New Middle School

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Tomorrow is decision day for voters in Anderson School Dist. 2. The single issue on the ballot is whether to fund the issuing of bonds up to $65 million to build a new consolidated middle school.

The two middle schools, separated by just a few miles, have long shared a common story—one shaped by segregation, consolidation, and now, the realities of aging infrastructure.

Belton Middle School and Honea Path Middle School, both rooted in campuses dating back more than seven decades, are at the center of the proposed $65 million referendum that could unify them into a single, modern facility.

But the path to that decision stretches back nearly a century.

The story begins in 1923, when a large brick building rose in Honea Path under the leadership of L.L. Wright, establishing what would become Honea Path High School. Though much of that original structure no longer stands, the site remains in use today as Honea Path Middle School, anchoring generations of education in the town.

By the early 1950s, both communities saw the construction of new school buildings—simple, durable cinder-block structures that still form the core of each campus. At the time, the schools reflected the segregated system of the era.

The Belton campus housed Geer-Gantt High School, serving African American students, while Honea Path High School educated white students in its namesake town.

That dual system would change in 1966, when the district opened the consolidated Belton-Honea Path High School. The move brought together students from both towns under one roof, marking a significant shift in the district’s educational landscape.

With high school students relocated to the new BHP campus, the former high school buildings in Belton and Honea Path were repurposed that same year into middle schools serving grades six through eight. For decades, those campuses have continued in that role, educating generations of students from across the district.

Efforts to modernize the facilities began in the early 2000s, when both schools underwent expansions and renovations. However, those projects largely focused on adding space rather than addressing the aging infrastructure at the heart of the buildings. Much of the original 1950s construction remains intact today.

Recognizing the long-term challenges, the district purchased land behind BHP High School in 2007, anticipating future needs. More than a decade later, a 2021 district-wide facilities study confirmed those concerns, identifying both middle schools as the most urgent priorities among the district’s seven aging campuses.

Subsequent architectural assessments between 2022 and 2025 painted a consistent picture. Independent audits rated both schools as “Fair” to “Poor,” citing issues ranging from structural wear to outdated mechanical systems and deteriorating flooring. An extensive 2025 analysis by McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture estimated that renovating the two schools would cost between $43.1 million and $57.5 million—without fully resolving the limitations of their original designs.

Now, district leaders are asking voters to consider a different approach.

On Saturday, residents of the district will vote on the $65 million referendum to construct a new, unified middle school on the district-owned property behind BHP High School. The proposed facility would serve up to 1,000 students, replacing both Belton and Honea Path Middle Schools with a single, modern campus designed for current educational needs.

Even as the district looks forward, officials say they are mindful of preserving the past. Plans for the new school include a museum-style lobby that would showcase artifacts from both campuses, including state championship trophies from Geer-Gantt High School and other pieces of local educational history.

Meanwhile, conversations are already underway about the future of the existing buildings. Leaders in both Belton and Honea Path have expressed interest in acquiring the former school properties, with ideas ranging from recreation centers to municipal office space.

For communities deeply tied to their schools, the decision ahead is as much about legacy as it is about infrastructure—balancing decades of shared history with the needs of future generations.