‘Symbol of opportunity:’ Take a sneak peek inside Woodford County’s new $75M high school
Friday will be the last day that students will attend the current Woodford County High School. Come Jan. 8, a new $75 million; 197,442-square-foot building that can hold 1,400 students opens.
“Our new high school represents more than just a building — it’s a symbol of opportunity, growth, and the future of our students and community,” Superintendent Danny Adkins said.
“It’s a place where tradition meets innovation, where students will dream big, learn boldly and achieve success. It has been an honor to be a small part of providing these opportunities for the students of Woodford County now and for many years to come.”
The superintendent added: “It is a promise to our students and families that we are preparing them not just for today but for tomorrow.”
The new building at 145 School House Road in Versailles, has advanced technology, collaborative learning spaces and enhanced safety measures. There also are more laboratories.
The new school is about 43,000 square feet larger than the previous school.
Classrooms are equipped with furniture that is easily moved for flexible configurations that promote increased collaboration and communication, officials said.
A storm shelter can house the entire student body and staff. The building is “super efficient, highly insulated and airtight,” district officials said in a news release.
The new auditorium seats 420, while the gym can handle 2,062 students.
Plans were resurrected for a new Woodford County high school in 2020, despite a controversial 2018 election in which a majority of local voters opposed a facilities tax to pay for it, the Herald-Leader previously reported.
“I’m not sure anything changed other than the fact that the need far outweighed any other options,” Adkins told the Herald-Leader Friday.
“I would like to say that the excitement across the county has been tremendous. The buzz amongst students and staff is heartfelt and enthusiastic.”
The old high school was more than 55 years old and was renovated in 1996. A district Facebook post following initial student tours Thursday said students thought the school restrooms looked like hotel restrooms, clean and updated, and they were intrigued by the new food court.
“We are thrilled to be opening the doors to a state-of-the-art space for our high schoolers to explore the infinite possibilities of their futures,” said Angela McKale, chair of the board of education.
This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 7:46 AM.