School District Five celebrates ribbon cutting ceremonies at two elementary schools

For Immediate Release – July 23, 2026

School District Five celebrates ribbon cutting ceremonies at two elementary schools

IRMO –Lexington-Richland School District Five held two Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies to celebrate the completion of two new classroom wing additions at Chapin Elementary School and Lake Murray Elementary on July 23.

The new wings at both schools are being added to help accommodate the new educational structure the district is implementing in August. The new 23,000 sq. ft. classroom wing at Lake Murray Elementary replaces 16 portables at the school and contains 18 classrooms, adding about 432 seats. This allows the school to be able to increase their maximum capacity.

“This new classroom wing is an exciting milestone for our school,” Lake Murray Elementary School Principal Kristen Eubanks said. “When our students return in August, they will walk into a beautiful new learning space designed to support their success for years to come. This addition allows us to serve more students while continuing to provide the high-quality, innovative education our families expect. We are excited to open these doors and welcome students into a facility that reflects our commitment to their future.”

The new 16,000 sq. ft. classroom wing at Chapin Elementary School replaces 8 portables at the school and adds 12 classrooms which holds about 288 seats. This allows the school to be able to increase their maximum capacity.

“This ribbon cutting marks an exciting new chapter for Chapin Elementary School,” Principal Amy Sgorrano said. “This beautiful new addition symbolizes our 50 years of excellence and represents far more than extra classrooms.   It reflects our continued growth, our commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for every student, and the incredible support of our community. We are excited to welcome students into a space designed to inspire learning, foster connections, and help shape the bright future we are building together.”

Both additions are projects of the 2024 Bond Referendum.

“These new classroom wings are a direct result of our voters’ support of the 2024 bond referendum, and we are incredibly grateful for their confidence in our vision for the future of School District Five,” Superintendent Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr. said. “These new learning spaces represent more than bricks and mortar because they are an investment in student success, safety, and opportunity for generations to come. Together, we are building schools that support our vision to Love and Grow our students.”

###