Principal Shannon Leggett cuts the ceremonial ribbon with fifth grade student Max Johnson, right, and kindergarten student Lancer Hatfield during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Buses of students from the old Milton Elementary School building arrive to tour the new facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Milton Elementary on Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Justin Boggs, deputy superintendent for operations and support for Cabell County Schools, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Students gather in the new gymnasium for the first time during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Justin Boggs, deputy superintendent for operations and support for Cabell County Schools, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Principal Shannon Leggett, left, celebrates with fifth grade student Max Johnson during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Principal Shannon Leggett cuts the ceremonial ribbon with fifth grade student Max Johnson, right, and kindergarten student Lancer Hatfield during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Buses of students from the old Milton Elementary School building arrive to tour the new facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Milton Elementary on Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Justin Boggs, deputy superintendent for operations and support for Cabell County Schools, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Students gather in the new gymnasium for the first time during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Justin Boggs, deputy superintendent for operations and support for Cabell County Schools, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
Principal Shannon Leggett, left, celebrates with fifth grade student Max Johnson during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Milton Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Milton.
MILTON Ƶ After nearly five years of planning, designing and construction, students and faculty were finally able to explore the halls of the new Milton Elementary School following a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning.
ƵItƵs always difficult to go through the process of building a school. ItƵs like building a home, but it has gone smoothly,Ƶ Principal Shannon Leggett said following the ceremony.
Putting the school together took the effort of many faculty who were part of a design team to brainstorm ideas for the new school, as well as Hayslett Construction Co. and several administrators and board of education members who have rotated throughout the years.
ƵHow could you not love it?Ƶ Leggett said about the school property. ƵItƵs almost 100 acres, and itƵs amazing. You could look out back anytime and thereƵs always at least a dozen deer outside.Ƶ
The school sits at the end of a long driveway connecting with Newmans Branch Road, placing it out of view from traffic. Leggett recalled how the former elementary school building was in the middle of the town, but now students can learn in a quieter environment with plenty of space.
ƵThe kids love it,Ƶ she said, although she said the staff wasnƵt sure what to expect. ƵSome people have been in that building for 40-some years, and then they come here and itƵs just the unknown, but they love it all.Ƶ
Teacher Susan DeFazio has been at the school for 48 years in special education. She said thereƵs nothing sheƵll actually miss about the old building, as all of the students, teachers and their instruction are traveling with her.
ƵThe teachers will still be as effective in the new building,Ƶ she said. ƵThis is beautiful. It is. And the kids deserve it. The teachers deserve it. Our building was old, and the windows werenƵt the best in the world, and so itƵs nice.Ƶ
At first glance, DeFazio said she liked how the new building has more open space. She described the building as Ƶbright,Ƶ ƵairyƵ and Ƶclean,Ƶ pointing out the number of windows the building had compared to the former one.
The old elementary school opened in 1950. It had some issues with flooding and roof leaks and was less energy efficient, according to Deputy Superintendent Justin Boggs.
Jeanne Lunsford, a fifth grade teacher who sat in on some design committee meetings, noted that the old building also had some issues with its electrical wiring to the point that it was Ƶmaxed out,Ƶ creating unreliable internet service.
Megan Burdick, a kindergarten teacher who was on the design committee, said the group also requested the schoolƵs natural, lodge-like look to blend with the landscape and the surrounding rural community. She said they also requested windows in the classrooms for natural lighting and flexible classroom furniture and spaces for different groupsƵ needs.
She said the faculty are excited about having more than one restroom to share.
ƵItƵs exciting to have something brand new,Ƶ Burdick said. ƵWe actually videoed (the kids) as they were coming into the room, my assistant did, and they were just ecstatic. They loved it. They can see the playground from the window. They love the carpet. They couldnƵt believe how big our bathroom was.Ƶ
Fifth grader Evelyn Perry, 10, said while she liked the cleanliness and design of the new school, sheƵll miss the fifth graders having the top floor to themselves. Still, she said thereƵs more lockers, nicer chairs, desks, tables and other furniture and better bathrooms at this school, and she likes the green and blue paint in the classrooms and halls and the schoolƵs ƵmodernƵ look.
ƵIƵll definitely miss it,Ƶ Evelyn said of the old Milton Elementary School, Ƶbut IƵm also excited to start a new chapter.Ƶ
Lunsford said, although the transition is bittersweet for her, having taught at the former building for 21 years, ƵitƵs nice to start something fresh again.Ƶ
Ƶ(The students) are so excited, we canƵt keep them calmed down. But once they get in the building in January and we give them a few days to get settled in, theyƵll realize itƵs school again,Ƶ Lunsford said. ƵI just hope that everyone can appreciate all the hard work that went into this from every level.Ƶ
Cabell County Board of Education President Josh Pauley said heƵs been around for most of the new schoolƵs construction process, and his name is on a plaque at the front door along with other current former board members and administrators.
Pauley said he thinks the building is one of the Ƶmost beautiful schools that we have.Ƶ
ƵThe primary focus is being able to educate our students, and so I hope thatƵs the main focus for everybody as they come in and enjoy being in a new facility, but still maintain the focus of learning, and hopefully the updates here will facilitate that process better than what the current facility does,Ƶ Pauley said.
When asked if he thought the new school bond projects Ƶ funded by the $87.5 million bond approved by voters in August 2020 Ƶ were worth it upon seeing the new school, Pauley said, ƵI think itƵs justified on multiple levels.Ƶ
ƵWhen you look at the schools that weƵve replaced and the reasons that those schools were chosen to be replaced, I think it was obvious that they needed new schools, needed new facilities,Ƶ Pauley said. ƵWe have to invest in our future, in our kids, in education. Just look at how long the current Milton elementary has served this county. This building, it did cost a lot of money, but itƵs going to serve our students for many, many, many years to come, decades to come, and so itƵs well worth the investment.Ƶ
The students will finish out their year earlier than the rest of the county, with their last day on Wednesday, Dec. 18, to make time for teachers to settle in. The first day at their new school at 1224 Newmans Branch Road will be after holiday break on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
Katelyn Aluise is an education and court reporter.
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