ROCKLAND — History was made on the fields of South School on Thursday as ground was broken for a new $4.8 million middle school.

The district broke from tradition by having students rather than dignitaries perform the ceremonial groundbreaking. Construction is expected to begin in a matter of weeks with a scheduled opening of the 52,000-square-foot school in September 1998.

Ringed by scores of parents and more than 300 students, SAD 5 Superintendent of Schools Donald Kanicki noted that the middle school represents the first new school in Rockland in more than 35 years.

“This is a very historic day,” Kanicki told the gathering. “One year from now where you folks are sitting will be a classroom, a hallway and children learning.”

The new school will house 375 pupils in district grades six through eight. It will be situated on the grounds of South School, an elementary school on Broadway. The need for a new middle school has been argued for years, with the state repeatedly refusing to share in the construction costs. Sick building syndrome eventually forced the 90-year-old middle school’s closing two years ago.

Although built before sick building syndrome was ever known, the building developed its ill effects when it was renovated during the energy crisis. By tightening up the school to save energy, contractors created a building which made children and adults sick.

In 1996, residents of Rockland, Owls Head and South Thomaston voted to raise $4.8 million for a new school without state assistance. They also voted to raise an additional $1.6 million for repairs and improvements to the district’s other schools.

Kanicki commended the taxpayers, along with the many volunteers who went door to door urging residents to cast their ballot for the new school projects.

An emotional middle school principal Thomas Mellor choked up with praise for the outpouring of support for the school.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Mellor said. “Our facility has been below par for years. … I can’t wait to get into the new facility. I wake up at night thinking about it.”