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 Besides being old, most of the buildings were not designed for today’s teaching standards and had outdated electrical, plumbing and heating systems.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.

Much work has been done since the 2002 bond referendum. The district has 13 of its 17 construction and renovation projects under way. All of the stadium projects have been completed. Students have moved into new classrooms at Hopkins Middle School and Lower Richland High School. The new Crayton Middle School opened in August 2006.

Following is a snapshot of Richland One’s "Schools for the 21st Century" projects (as of July 2007):

Alcorn Middle School
Projected completion date: August 2009
Renovations and additions are planned for Alcorn. New classroom wings, an auditorium and performing arts wing will be added. Renovations will be made to the fine arts area, media center and cafeteria. Also, upgrades will be made to the plumbing, heating/air conditioning and electrical system.

Crayton Middle School
Projected completion date: Completed
A new Crayton Middle School was built on the site of the old facility. Features of the new school include classroom wings, a gym and a lecture hall. The school is divided into “houses” for each grade. Each grade has two science labs in each house. Other features include special areas for fine arts and performing arts.

Gibbes Middle School
Projected completion date: Completed
The new Gibbes Middle School was built on the site of the old facility. Students occupied the school in January 2007. The school features a new 400-seat lecture hall and a 500-seat gym. The school is divided into houses for each grade. Each grade has two science labs in each house. Other features include special areas for fine arts and performing arts.

Hand Middle School
Projected completion date: December 2007
Renovations and additions are planned for Hand Middle School. Additions will include a new lecture hall, media center, administration and guidance offices, classrooms, PE and kitchen support spaces. Renovations will be made in the art rooms, teacher work spaces, cafeteria and various classrooms. Plumbing and electrical systems also will be upgraded. The school has occupied most of the renovated areas. New classrooms across in the south wing of the courtyard will be occupied in August 2007. The remainder of the building will be completed later in the semester.

Hopkins Middle School
Projected completion date: Completed
Hopkins Middle School students moved into new classroom wings in January 2006. Additions include new classrooms, health room, lecture hall, administration and guidance areas, art spaces and teacher support. Renovations have been made to the media center, technical building and PE facility.

W.A. Perry Middle School
Projected completion date: Completed
A new lecture hall, fine arts area, media center and corridors have been added to the school. Major renovations and conversions were completed for the administrative area and guidance offices.

W.G. Sanders Middle School
Projected completion date: December 2009
Sanders will be relocated to the current site of Keenan High School on Pine Belt Road. The facility will be converted to a middle school after renovations. New fine arts areas will be added as well as a new administrative space. The remainder of the facility, including classrooms, will be renovated. This project is currently being advertised for a bid in August 2007.

St. Andrews Middle School
Projected completion date: Completed
Additions were made to the administration and guidance areas, as well as health room, lecture hall and fine arts area classrooms. Major renovations were completed in the media center, classrooms and HVAC. The school was occupied in April 2007.

Heyward Career & Technology Center
Projected completion date: Completed
Major additions have been made to Heyward, including a new technology
center, business labs and computer labs. Renovations to the existing building included upgrades to the marketing, small engine, auto, culinary arts and graphics program areas.

Columbia High School
Projected completion date: August 2009
Additions to Columbia High will include new classrooms, practice gym, 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. The construction contract was awarded in July. Construction will begin in August 2007.

Dreher High School
Projected completion date: August 2007
Dreher High School is being rebuilt on the site of the existing school. The old facility is being demolished to make way for the new building. The school is scheduled to be occupied in August 2007.

Eau Claire High School
Projected completion date: December 2007
Construction of the new auditorium is expected to be completed in fall 2007. All other areas have been completed and will be occupied in the 2007-08 school year. Additions include a new gymnasium, fine arts wing and auditorium. Renovations included science labs, standard classrooms, and mechanical/plumbing/electrical upgrades.

A.C. Flora High School
Projected completion date: December 2009
Renovations and additions planned for A.C. Flora will be done in three phases. Site utilities and demolition of designated buildings were completed in August 2005 during Phase I. Phase II, which includes construction of a new administration and classroom building, will be completed and occupied in August 2007. Renovations of the existing science building, media center and cafeteria are completed. Phase III renovations/additions will be put out for bid in the fall of 2007. During Phase III, renovations and upgrades will be made to the existing gym, fine arts wing, ROTC room and parking lot. A new competition gym, 600-seat auditorium, as well as a softball and athletics practice field, will be added.

C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy
Projected completion date: December 2009
Additions planned for C.A. Johnson 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 system. This project is currently being advertised and will have a bid opening in August 2007.

W.J. Keenan High School
Projected completion date: August 2007
The new W.J. Keenan High School has been constructed on Pisgah Church Road. The school is scheduled to be occupied in August 2007.

Lower Richland High School
Projected completion date: Completed
Additions to Lower Richland High included a new student commons area, enclosed corridors, auditorium and PE support area, as well as centers for drama, art and dance. Renovations, which include the alternative gym, locker rooms, and band/chorus area, have been made in all areas except administration and the arena. The H-building classroom renovations, additions and elevated walkway have been completed. Additionally, the J-building JROTC, science area and other classrooms have been completed.

Upgrades to Athletics Stadiums & Fields
Projected completion date: Completed
The track at Bolden Stadium and the baseball and softball fields at Memorial
Stadium have been completed. New locker rooms were constructed for all three stadiums - Bolden, Memorial and Lower Richland.