By: Tracy Sanders, Co-Editor | tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
The RD Anderson Educational Foundation is spearheading a major expansion of R.D. Anderson, adding 48,600 square feet of new classroom space. This addition will include flexible spaces designed to accommodate future programs, ensuring the facility remains adaptable to evolving educational needs.
Spartanburg County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, with new businesses, industries, and manufacturing opportunities continuing to emerge. As employment demands rise, RD Anderson’s mission remains focused on providing local industries with qualified and certified employees. To meet these needs and maintain a competitive edge in career and technology education, RD Anderson is moving forward with this expansion.
According to Omar Daniels, who oversees the RD Anderson Educational Foundation, this marks the first expansion to RD Anderson in over a decade. The last addition, completed in 2012, added 25,000 square feet of classroom space. With bids for the new expansion expected to go out in June and construction set to begin in the fall, the new space is projected to be ready for use in the 2026-2027 school year.
The expansion will provide over 1,200 additional students from Spartanburg School Districts four, five, and six with access to the center.
High-demand programs such as Agriculture, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Health Science, Mechanics, and Welding will receive additional space, allowing more students to participate.
Key highlights include:
A new culinary kitchen and classroom
A greenhouse for agricultural programs
Health Science labs for training CNA and sports medicine students
A business wing to support students in developing entrepreneurship skills
The addition of these programs will also support partner high schools, including Woodruff High School, Byrnes High School, and Dorman High School, which have reported a growing number of students interested in applied technology programs.
RD Anderson also plans to host business and industry partners in a newly designed multi-purpose space, providing students with opportunities to demonstrate their skills in real-world settings. Additionally, all new spaces will be interconnected and equipped with safety protocols, including the EVOLV security system, ensuring student safety remains a top priority.
The strength of applied technology centers like RD Anderson lies in their ability to provide students with real-world certifications, credentials, work-based learning experiences, and pathways to both higher education and job placement. This expansion will allow RD Anderson to extend these opportunities to even more students in Spartanburg County.
From Spartanburg County School District Four, two representatives have been appointed to serve on the foundation’s board:
Tony Davis, Chairman Spartanburg District Four School Board
Chris Benefield, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance
Their involvement will help ensure the expansion aligns with the district’s vision and the needs of local students.
Tony Davis highlighted the impact this expansion will have on increasing student opportunities:
“The upcoming RDA addition will allow over 1,200 additional students from Districts Four, Five, and Six to attend RDA and expand programs that are currently full, including Mechatronics, Welding, and Cosmetology. The expansion will allow our students to be ready to fill the jobs that will be in demand in the future.”
Chris Benefield emphasized the importance of R.D. Anderson’s role in job training:
“RDA is a first-rate Career and Technology Center. The proposed expansion will allow the students of District Four to continue to have the best opportunities for job training, work-based experiences, certifications, and credentials.”
The expansion represents a significant investment in the community, creating new opportunities for students and enhancing the region’s educational resources.
Author: Tracy Sanders
