CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. – It’s all hands on deck to complete the new Rustburg Middle School, which we’re told is the first secondary school built in Campbell County in 40 years.
Clif Tweedy, deputy Campbell County administrator, said the current building located next door is falling apart.
“It was a pieced-together school, and it had gotten in really, really bad shape,” Tweedy said.
Tweedy is overseeing the project, which costs more than $41 million and includes a gym, stage, natural lighting, four rooms for STEM and computer labs, and better security doors.
“[The doors are] all monitored electronically. Nobody can come in through the front without going through the office and being buzzed in,” Tweedy said.
The new school building can hold 750 students, with sixth, seventh, and eighth grades having their own wing. But, if needed, the building can be added on to hold an additional 150 children.
“When they first walk in, they’re going to have a ‘wow’ moment,” said Dr. Clayton Stanley, deputy superintendent of Campbell County Public Schools.
Students were supposed to have that ‘wow’ moment in August.
Supply-chain issues pushed back the move-in date to late December 2022 or early January 2023.
They’re frustrated with the delay, but they said their top priority is the students.
“When it comes to starting a school year, especially this one, we’ve had to focus on instruction and getting kids back in class,” said Stanley.
“It’s just really exciting to see us moving forward and providing this opportunity for our students,” said Tweedy.