Ninth grade addition nearing completion
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Blacksburg High will wait until January before moving into a ninth grade addition scheduled for final inspection early next month.

Contractor Randolph Builders of Charlotte is in the final stages of completing a $6.3 million addition beside the school cafeteria. The 2-story ninth grade addition includes 12 regular classrooms, two physical science labs, two special education classrooms and an addition to the band room.

The state Department of Education Office of School Facilities will soon inspect the ninth grade addition. After the final inspection, construction workers will be busy for a couple weeks correcting items on a punch list.

"We want to make sure the building is completely finished before our students and teachers begin using the classrooms," Blacksburg High Principal Jim Touchberry said. "We will likely wait until the first or second week in January to move into the ninth grade addition. This will allow our students and teachers to start the second semester in the new building."

New furniture and technology will be placed in the classroom addition once the district receives an occupancy permit.

For example, Touchberry said each classroom will be equipped with an interactive, electronic whiteboard.

The two physical science labs have multiple lab stations where students can spread out and work on hands-on science activities. There will be a large commons area where students can gather before school.

An athletic field house was completed earlier this fall as part of the Blacksburg High construction project. The project included a team meeting room, a classroom, film room, weight room, training room and locker room.

Blacksburg High opened the athletic field house in mid- September.