May 7, 2020
By KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT
Rutherford County Schools
Smyrna natives might remember the newly renovated Professional Development Center for Rutherford County Schools.
Some know it from the nearly 30 years it was used as the library for Smyrna Middle School, while others might remember it for the 20 years it served as the Smyrna Public Library.
Built in 1969, RCS acquired the building in a land swap with the City of Smyrna and used it as a school library until the new two-story addition at Smyrna Middle was opened two years ago. Now, after a three-month long renovation process, it has been transitioned into becoming a Professional Development Center and the new home of the district office for English as a second language.
“We put in a new HVA system, fixed the plumbing, painted the whole building, new carpet, sound system, technology, redid the bathrooms, moved ESL down here from Central Office and relocated the PD portion,” said Trey Lee, assistant superintendent of engineering and construction.
Lee said the new PD Center “can seat between 150 and 200 depending upon the furniture and how we configure it.”
It is currently set up for 130 seats in the larger section of the room and 40 more in a secondary section.
PHOTOS / KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT and TREY LEE