In November of 2002, Richland One voters went to the polls and overwhelmingly approved a $381 million bond issue to upgrade the district’s middle schools, high schools and athletics stadiums. Besides being old, most of the buildings were not designed for today’s teaching standards and had outdated electrical, plumbing and heating systems. The Board of School Commissioners decided to seek voter approval of the bond issue to obtain the funds necessary to provide our students with high-quality learning environments equipped to prepare them to meet the challenges of the 21st century and compete with their peers across the country and around the globe.
A lot has been accomplished since the 2002 bond referendum. To date, the district has completed 12 of its 17 construction and renovation projects, including upgrades to athletics stadiums and fields. Five other projects – Alcorn Middle, Sanders Middle, Columbia High, A.C. Flora High and C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy – are expected to be completed by December 2009.
Following is a snapshot of Richland One’s "Schools for the 21st Century" projects (as of June 2008):
Completed Construction/Renovation Project
* Crayton Middle School
* Gibbes Middle School
* Hand Middle School
* Hopkins Middle School
* W.A. Perry Middle School
* St. Andrews Middle School
* Heyward Career and Technology Center
* Dreher High School
* Eau Claire High School
* W.J. Keenan High School
* Lower Richland High School
* Upgrades to athletics stadiums and fields
Current Projects
Alcorn Middle School
Projected completion date: December 2009
Work has started on new classroom wings, an auditorium and performing arts wing. Renovations to the fine arts area, media center and cafeteria are expected to begin in 2009. The school’s plumbing, heating/air conditioning and electrical systems also will be upgraded.
W.G. Sanders Middle School
Projected completion date: December 2009
Sanders will be relocated to the former Keenan High campus on Pine Belt Road. Renovations will transform the facility into a middle school. New fine arts areas, as well as a new administrative space, will be added. The remainder of the facility, including classrooms, will be renovated.
Columbia High School
Projected completion date: December 2009
Additions to the facility will include new classrooms, practice gyms, two science labs and a performing arts area. Major renovations are planned for the cafeteria and kitchen, as well as the media center, administrative offices and fine arts wing. Site work, concrete, masonry, roofing and interior finishes also are planned. Upgrades will be made to the plumbing, heating/air conditioning and electrical system.
A.C. Flora High School
Projected completion date: December 2009
A.C. Flora has begun the third and final phase of its construction/renovation process. A new gym, auditorium and athletics fields are under construction. Phase I, which was completed in August 2005, included site utilities and demolition of designated buildings. Phase II included construction of a new administration and classroom building, as well renovations of the existing science building, media center and cafeteria. Phase II was completed in 2007.
C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy
Projected completion date: December 2009
Additions planned for the school include a new auditorium, cafeteria expansion and competition gymnasium. Major renovations and conversions will be made to the existing PE area, fine arts wing and selected classrooms. Upgrades are planned for the plumbing, heating/air conditioning and electrical systems.
