THOMASVILLE — Lunch at Harper Elementary School is being served faster and better than before, thanks to a brand-new cafeteria.

Thomasville City Schools officials unveiled the new cafeteria Friday morning, complete with new seating and brand-new kitchen equipment.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” said Harper Principal Melvin Hugans. “It’s a great addition to what we’re doing here at school. The students love the opportunity to have a new space to eat in. It’s a very historic moment for Harper.”

The cafeteria cost approximately $1.7 million and is 7,000 square feet. 

“A lot of work went into getting this cafeteria ready for school to start,” said city schools interim superintendent Lance Heard. “It was much needed.”

The new cafeteria can serve more students at a time, with two serving lines. The kitchen equipment is state of the art, Hugans pointed out.

“We have about three grade levels eating in here at one time. In the old cafeteria, we could get in about two,” he said. “It really helps gets kids back into the classroom. (It’s) quick lunches, healthy lunches, good time for the kids, and we can get them back into the classroom.

“Every aspect of the lunchroom is definitely an asset to what we’re doing.”

Heard also thanked city schools nutrition director Jeana Smith and the Harper staff for getting the cafeteria ready and thanked the board for approving the project. 

Work for the rest of the school is also in the plans, Heard said. School board members have approved a renovating the rest of the school, and that is scheduled to begin once school is out for the 2019-20 year.

“Basically, a year from now, it will be a brand-new school,” he said.

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.