Moving on up: Waynesburg Central students move into renovated school
Students from Margaret Bell Miller Middle School moved into their new building, Waynesburg Central Junior-Senior High School, on Monday. (Photos courtesy of Central Greene School District)
The former Waynesburg Central High School recently underwent renovations and houses middle school students from the now-closed Margaret Bell Miller Middle School and has been renamed Waynesburg Central Junior-Senior High School.
Middle school students celebrate their first day in their new classrooms at Waynesburg Central Junior-Senior High School in January, after renovations at the high school building were completed to accommodate the middle schoolers and students officially moved in. (Photo courtesy of Central Greene School District)
Waynesburg Central High School was renamed Waynesburg Central Junior-Senior High School after the district consolidated its middle school, Margaret Bell Miller Middle School, into the high school. The district now operates two buildings 鈥� the Waynesburg Central Elementary School and the high school 鈥� which are both located on its campus in Franklin Township. (Photos courtesy of Central Greene School District)
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Margaret Bell Miller Middle School students moved into a newly renovated Waynesburg Central Junior-Senior High School Jan. 9, as the first semester winds down.
The renovation was part of an approximately $3 million renovation project and a plan that consolidates Central Greene School District鈥檚 1,500 students into two buildings 鈥� the junior-senior high school and Waynesburg Central Elementary School 鈥� on the campus on Zimmerman Drive in Franklin Township.
Margaret Bell Miller Middle School, built in 1928 鈥� the aging building had been difficult to maintain 鈥� is slated for permanent closure this summer.
鈥淚鈥檓 so pleased we have K-12 students on one campus now, as far as safety purposes and having everybody together, that鈥檚 where we need to be,鈥� said Central Greene Superintendent Dr. Kevin Monaghan.
Now, seventh- and eighth-graders will attend classes at their new educational home in the high school; sixth-graders are housed at the elementary school.
Initially, the school district had planned to construct a new middle school building; however, it was determined that renovations would enable the high school to accommodate middle school students as well.
The upgraded facility is filled with state-of-the-art equipment. Classrooms are outfitted with Promethean boards, upgraded technology, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) equipment, and upgraded ventilation.
The junior-senior high school is equipped with air conditioning; Margaret Bell Miller is not.
An e-sports arena will be housed at the elementary school.
The move also will benefit the school district鈥檚 transportation services.
Junior high classes are on the second floor and high school classes are on the main floor, with some crossover between students.
The move-in couldn鈥檛 have come at a better time, Monaghan explained, noting that water pipes burst at Margaret Bell Miller over the Christmas break, causing flooding and damage.
鈥淭here was water everywhere; (Margaret Bell Miller) totally flooded. It鈥檚 a blessing we had this (move) in the works. It鈥檚 sad that we鈥檙e closing the school, but it was perfect timing,鈥� said Monaghan.
Monaghan thanked the school board, administration, and staff 鈥渇or pulling together to complete the project. It was a huge team effort.鈥�
He said students were delighted when they walked into the building and saw their new surroundings.
鈥淚鈥檓 so excited about what the future holds for Central Greene,鈥� said Monaghan. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful for everyone鈥檚 vision and desire to create a better learning environment for our kids.鈥�