and professionally. “You need enough space for students to spread out, use their Chromebooks, and have access to charging stations,” he explains. “But you also have to look at security—entry points, secure vestibules, and how to protect students while keeping the school functional.” INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE EDUCATION One of the district’s most exciting projects is a new agriculture center and greenhouse designed to teach students modern, sustainable farming techniques. Inspired by facilities in Hartwell and Elberton, Ellenberg and his team took the concept further, incorporating energy efficiency and advanced agricultural practices. “We’re adding solar power and a rainwater reclamation system for irrigation,” Ellenberg says. “This isn’t just a greenhouse—it’s a compact, efficient model of urban and suburban farming.” The center will feature an aquaculture lab where students grow tomatoes using fish waste as fertilizer in a closed-loop system. “The fish feed the plants, the plants clean the water, and both are harvested,” Ellenberg explains. The goal is to demonstrate sustainable farming practices that maximize resources. “We want students to understand the entire food cycle,” Ellenberg says. With a 20-acre plot of land, the program can teach everything from vegetable and fruit production to livestock management and sustainable food systems. Students 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
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