Published: January 09, 2008 10:04 am         

Old Dominion head pleased with progress

With the first full semester out of the way for Old Dominion Christian School at its new location in West, the school is growing and prospering. Dr. William Suratt, administrator of the non-denominational school, is very well pleased so far since the move to the former East Holmes Academy facilities.

“We still have a lot to do, but parental support has been wonderful,” said Suratt, “The people from West have been great.” The West Library gave hundreds of duplicate copies of books to the school, while Holmes Community College gave “$30,000 dollars worth of school furniture, desks even swivel office chairs, a couple couches, brand new chalk boards still in the box” in lieu of new furniture.

Also, Presbyterian Day School of Kosciusko was very supportive in donating desks as well.

One church in Pascagoula, that was almost completely wiped out by Hurricane Katrina, was able to donate a large six-burner gas stove with a grill and a double oven.

“From day one no doubt in my mind, God was in it when all this happened,” Suratt expressed.

Major progress has been done on the former elementary building in repairing physical damage done before ODCS bought the facilities.

Around $6,000 dollars was spent on wire alone not including labor to install it.

All windows that were broken out have been replaced, the gymnasium, which has never been air-conditioned before in its entire existence will soon have a unit installed near spring.

“They’ve (East Holmes) never air-conditioned the gym there, I don’t know how they got by without it, man it gets hot,” said Suratt.

Overall, progress has been above Suratt’s expectations, including parent support, “In all my years in Christian private schools, we’ve never had as great as support ever as what we’ve had up there at West. It’s been unbelievable.”