SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City School (SCS) system is bolstering its transportation infrastructure with the acquisition of a permanent location for its school bus fleet.
The SCS Board, during a special meeting on Wednesday morning, April 3, greenlit the purchase of the property formerly known as the Avondale Mills Trucking department. This move will secure a long-term solution for the district’s transportation needs.
The board agreed to pay $550,000 to current property owner Fuji A Network of Companies, LLC of Kentucky.
Having leased the property since August 2020, Sylacauga City Schools found the location to be ideal for its 23 district buses and service vehicles.
The former Avondale Trucking property has proven to be an ideal and convenient location to stage the buses and have them ready for use throughout the day,” stated SCS Superintendent Dr. Michele Eller.
Spanning 7.16 acres, the property features 2,720 square feet of office space and 15,557 square feet of industrial space, complete with nine loading docks and 13 drive-in bays. Additionally, the surrounding acreage provides ample space for bus parking and maneuvering, along with facilities for bus driver training.
Beyond serving as a hub for transportation, the district intends to utilize the facility for expanding Career Technical Education programs, including specialized Career Tech courses like modern manufacturing.
“Our school board recognized the value to Sylacauga City Schools in acquiring this property,” Eller noted. “Along with operating as the center for our buses and maintenance, now we have greater capacity for expanding our career technical education programs. Even the high school students can use the drive-in bays to decorate Homecoming floats. Owning this facility outright rather than leasing it will give us the ability to customize the space to meet the changing needs of Sylacauga City Schools.”
The acquisition not only strengthens the educational infrastructure but also presents opportunities for community partnerships. With opportunity present to collaborate with organizations like the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) and the Eastern Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub (EARTH), the SCS district has the chance to help enhance the educational and industrial landscape of Sylacauga.
