Video: Smithville School Opens New Campus After Tornado

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SMITHVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Smithville School will start classes this school year in a new facility, after a devastating tornado destroyed the campus. Students in Smithville will start the new school year, next week but this year, they’ll be learning on a brand new campus.

“Every building on campus has either been a complete reconstruction or it’s been massive renovations,” says Principal Chad O’Brien.

The entire town of Smithville was severely damaged when a EF-5 tornado touched down two years ago. School officials had to find an alternative way to continue educating students while the community slowly began to rebuild.

“You know we stayed over there in those trailers and it was great just having all the kids together and being able to do that,” says Assistant Principal Billy Tacker.

Thanks to federal grants and insurance coverage, the Smithville School has been able to come back better and stronger after the storm.

“It’s just a tribute to everybody that’s worked hard on it. All the contractors, the Superintendent, principals. Everybody, teachers, community. Everybody that’s put their hands together and made this happen,” says Tacker.

The school has also updated it’s emergency plan. The Smithville School will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony this Sunday afternoon at 2.