NEWBERRY —Despite being face with opposition from the community, the Newberry County School District is moving forward with plans to build a new district administration building along S.C. 219/Main Street.

The decision was made following an executive session at the October school board meeting.

The new building would sit next to the Newberry County Career Center and is a part of the overall $77 million building renovation plan that goes back more than half a decade in which other schools have been or are being refurbished.

Newberry High’s ongoing construction is also a part of this plan. Past complete projects include: Little Mountain Elementary, Newberry Elementary, Mid-Carolina High and Pomaria-Garmany Elementary.

The opposition came from Newberry resident Laura Dukes, District 40 Rep. Walt McLeod and other business leaders in the downtown area or close to it.

Opponents encouraged the board to find a way to keep the district administration building in the downtown area.

However, a majority of the school board opted for the newer building because this was the less expensive option compared with renovating the current one, they concluded.