County breaks ground for new school

Despite wet conditions, community officials showed their support for the construction of the new Locust Grove Middle School during a groundbreaking ceremony held last week.
While Thursday’s program was ceremonial and celebratory, getting to this point wasn’t.
The decision to build the school was fiercely debated within the county. Opponents of the project cited current economic conditions and asked whether or not the school could be afforded. In the end, however, it was the economic conditions that made the construction possible, supporters said. The bids, which were projected to come in at $50 million, fell into the low $30 million range with the lowest, and ultimately the chosen bid, from Kenbridge Construction Company at $30,407,000.
“All together we would borrow $38.2 million [assuming we go with Kenbridge’s bid],“ county administrator Bill Rolfe said earlier in the year. “That’s far less than the $50 million expected.“
The Orange County Board of Supervisors gave the project the go-ahead with a 3-2 vote in January, with supervisors Teri Pace and Zack Burkett dissenting, and the bonds to pay for the construction were applied for in March. 
“We didn’t get here easily,“ Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Lee Frame said. “The decision [to build this school] has never been unanimous. It has been a long, hard road to get here. [This shows] we care about our kids. [This] is a big step for education and progress here in Orange County. [We] know it will take continued support.“
With the past behind them, officials are looking forward to what the new school will mean for the county.
“This is an exciting day,“ Virginia Delegate Ed Scott said. “On one hand, this is the culmination of a lot of hard work and the beginning of more with the construction and educating children. To see their faces and the promise they hold [is what’s important]. It’s a treat to see the community working together, focused on education.“
Jim Henderson, from Moseley Architects spoke about the success that is yet to come.
“The success I’m most excited about is the success students will have from this building,“ he said.
The ceremony was concluded as county officials and building officials wielding engraved golden shovels dug into the dirt. The 1,200 student new Locust Grove Middle School is expected to open in the fall of 2010. As part of the plan, Locust Grove Elementary School will be split into two schools, with kindergarten through second grade staying at the current elementary school and third through fifth grade moving to the current Locust Grove Middle School.