Lynchburg school board will likely approve Fort Hill School plan

By: Annie McCallum | New Era Progress
Published: June 02, 2009

Lynchburg School Board will take another step today toward revitalizing the Fort Hill School and reorganizing its alternative education programs.

Officials are scheduled to formally approve the renovation of the building, which is estimated to cost about $692,000. The capital updates to the building, including a new roof and significant electrical work, will make it viable for use.

Work on the building is expected to be complete in January when the division’s middle school alternative programs will move into the facility. The Fort Hill School will likely house the Middle School Learning Center, the Homebound Learning Center and Pride eighth-grade students.

This transition marks a major step for the city schools. Officials have long sought a new place for alternative offerings in order to strengthen the programs.

School board members are also expected to give the OK to change the building’s name to the Fort Hill Community School.

The name change is a symbolic one, Superintendent Paul McKendrick has mentioned several times. McKendrick said he wants the school to be part of the community and open to more than just students.

The Fort Hill School, owned by the city and currently vacant, is a block off Fort Avenue on Liggates Road in a densely residential area. Community reaction to the plan has been largely positive and City Council approved the division’s use of the site last week.

The project will be funded primarily by federal stimulus money. About $450,000 will come from stimulus funds. The remaining $245,000 will come from capital project balances.

The school board is also expected to discuss and approve naming the E.C. Glass High School auxiliary gym in honor of longtime principal Susan Morrison, who retired last year. Morrison, who was the first alumnus of the school to be principal, had the second-longest tenure of any principal. She served at the school’s helm for 13 years.

Also on the agenda, board members plan to discuss the annual school board retreat and approve the division’s annual personnel report.