Districts finish up school construction

By JOY L. WOODSON - jwoodson@thestate.com

New schools almost ready for students

Lexington 1 principal John Young has been getting ready for this moment his entire career.

For the first time in 27 years in education, he will open a new school — Forts Pond Elementary, scheduled to greet students Aug. 20.

“The feeling of being able to pick out every color and every piece of furniture really helps you have ownership of the building,” he said Thursday, after another full day of checking off items on his to-do list.

With the start of the new school year a little more than a month away for Richland, Lexington and Kershaw County students, everyone — from construction workers to administrators — is pressing to finish projects.

Lexington 1 has two new elementary schools, with Forts Pond and New Providence. Richland 2 is opening Bridge Creek Elementary.

Several districts, including Lexington 1, Lexington 3, Lexington 4 and Richland 2, are working to finish school renovations.

And Richland 1 is eyeing the finish line of a $381 million bond referendum that will mean new or renovated schools in every corner of the district.

Most projects scheduled to be completed for the start of the school year are on track. But students at a few Richland 1, Richland 2 and Lexington 2 schools will still see ongoing work.

Last week, members of a Richland 1 Blue Ribbon Committee — retirees and other community residents who’ve been tracking school construction and offering feedback — toured five remaining projects that began with the 2002 bond referendum.

With middle and high schools that average more than 40 years old, the district’s run-up to the finish line is a cause for celebration. The projects are scheduled to be completed by December 2009.

“I don’t think any taxpayer will regret voting for the bond referendum,” said Levola S. Taylor, a Lower Richland resident and committee vice chairwoman. “The final product is here, and it has really paid off.”

Assistant superintendent Jim Hinton is proud, too, of the work in Lexington 2, where two reconstructed high schools were part of a $50 million bond referendum from 2002.

“We really appreciate the people in Lexington 2 for supporting this for us,” Hinton said. “To drive through the district now and see all the new construction and renovation is just amazing.”

Although a new cafeteria, kitchen and media center are completed at Airport High, there’s still work to be done on classroom wings. And at Brookland-Cayce High, contractors are not expected to complete all the work, which includes a fine arts wing and new cafeteria, until Christmas.

In Lexington 1, officials say all work will be completed by the time students arrive next month.

Loads of classroom furniture should begin arriving at Forts Pond beginning Monday. Faculty already have created a mission statement. Children have picked the mascot: the Mighty Mallard. The school colors are maroon, hunter green and gray.

And everyone, from teachers to parents and students, keeps trying to get in for a sneak preview.

“The hardest part is holding them back from coming in when we don’t have all the furniture yet,” Young said.

“It’s just phenomenal to be there at the birth of the school.”

Reach Woodson at (803) 771-8692.