Jefferson Forest students in a whole new school

By Christa Desrets
Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: August 22, 2008

After 2½ years of organized chaos, Jefferson Forest High School students this year can learn their way around campus for the last time.

The school, which has transformed under a $38.5 million renovation project, is now mostly complete — months ahead of schedule.

“I think it changes the attitude of people when they walk in,” Principal Tony Francis said. “… Last year we were moving people back and forth (between new and old classrooms). Once they learn the school this year, it won’t change.”

The project originally was contracted to finish by April 2009, he said, but good weather and coordination between the school and workers contributed to an early completion of major work just in time for the new school year that starts Monday.

“Everything kind of fell into place,” Francis said. “The major things are done. The idea is you get the big things done, then you can come back and take care of the small things.”

The “punch list” of remaining work includes finishing the library over the next two weeks and completing any remaining work such as painting, replacing ceiling tiles, patching walls, replacing lights and landscaping.

The early completion could mean the project will come in under budget, Francis said, but final figures on the overall cost are not yet available.

On Wednesday and Thursday, students got their first look at the newest wings of the school during freshman orientation and open house.

Kevin Tylermay, who graduated in June, returned Thursday with his 10th-grade brother, Hunter.

“When we got here last year, it was different because nobody knew where to go,” the older brother said. “It looks a lot better.”

Hunter’s soon-to-be algebra II teacher, Kathy Folger, agreed as she helped the younger brother sign in for the class.

“I felt like we were at a college campus almost, we were so spread out,” she said of previous years during construction. “We have been so crowded for so long. It’s certainly long overdue.”

The new school can hold up to 1,600 students. Francis projects that about 1,370 will attend this year.

New construction included a gymnasium, auditorium, math and science building, school offices, locker rooms, a wrestling room, and an updated multi-purpose room that used to be the old gym.

Over the summer, workers updated and expanded the cafeteria, put finishing touches on four halls that connect to the main building, and transformed the old auditorium into spaces for band, chorale and drama classes.

“All mobile classrooms are gone,” Francis said. “All students are inside for the entire day.”

At one point, the school was supplemented with 13 classrooms in six mobile buildings. All of them were removed over the summer.

Chrissy Lingenstein, a senior at JF, saw the project through its completion.

“When we first came here, they were just talking about renovation, and now it’s done,” she said from a JF sorority sign-up booth at open house Thursday. “I know we appreciate our school a lot more because it’s a lot nicer than it was before.”

Staunton River High School also is a construction zone as workers look to complete a new 37,000-square-foot, $8.2 million gymnasium, said Project Manager Charlie Peterson.

The project, which is on course to be mostly completed by the end of September, also will include a new lobby, concessions, restrooms, team rooms, offices and four new tennis courts. The current gym will get a makeover once the new gym is finished.