While work on the George-Oakes Building at Hinds Vicksburg campus continues, last week’s dedication of the building is a big statement for education in Vicksburg and Warren County.

The $13 million building will house meeting rooms, classrooms and other administrative offices for Hinds Community College but most important, it will also be the new home for River City Early College High School.

While not part of the significant bond passed last year to fund millions in new school construction in the Vicksburg-Warren School District, the building in many eyes will be the first project completed in a complete overhaul of education facilities in the county.

For years, changes to curriculum, administrative structure and culture have had an amazing impact on the level of education in Warren County, and thanks to the voters in Warren County and investments made by city and county leaders, the buildings may soon reflect the quality of education being taught inside.

It has become a popular talking point for some elected officials to question the financial investments made in public education. There have been those who question whether the tax dollars spent on public education are providing the return on investment.

In Warren County, there is no question.

From the successful Pre-K and early education programs, the Leader In Me initiative, all the way through the Ford Next Generation and career academies, to the dual enrollment programs at River City Early College, education in Warren County has been transformed and become an example of what dedicated school leaders can do when they are properly supported by the community.

The George-Oakes building is a great start to an overall amazing story being written right here in Vicksburg and Warren County.