Once again, the renovation plans for FHS have become increasingly convoluted. Recently, parents and community members have become concerned at the expensive, nine-phase renovation plan and parents have written the Fauquier Times-Democrat to protest the current plans.

            “I think it’s democracy in action,” Principal Roger Sites said. “It’s good that we hear from people.  How we handle it is the issue.”

            The Fauquier Band Organization’s secretary Melissa Nobile believes that the plans for the school are not renovations, but a complete overhaul of the school. 

            “The School Board was tasked to renovate FHS,” Nobile said. “Their plan is not a renovation plan for FHS, it’s a new building. They need to go back to the drawing board and figure out a way to renovate what we have, create an appropriate fine arts wing, renovate the auditorium, fix the annex, and make FHS comparable to the other two high schools in the county.”

            However, enough funding is currently available for renovations to proceed.  FHS has qualified for an interest-free $10 million dollar bond from the national Qualified School Construction Bond program that will save the county $5 million.

            “At the Board of Supervisors budget meeting on March 17, all members of the Board of Supervisors agreed that the renovation is needed,” Assistant Superintendant Janice Bourne said via e-mail. “A majority of the Board of Supervisors agreed to approve participation in the QSBC program. By agreeing to issue these low cost bonds, the Board of Supervisors is agreeing to move forward with the $25 million project.”

            Previously not included in the $25 million phase I plan were the renovations that the band wing desperately needed.  Among band parents’ concerns are a lack of storage space, acoustically dangerous classrooms, and small dressing rooms. 

“The performing arts wing needs to be included in the first phase of renovations,” Nobile said. “It is the only part of FHS to never have been renovated.”

Now, the plans to renovate the performing arts wing may proceed along with the construction of the new building.

            “I made it clear from the beginning I want to go forward with the band wing,” Sites said. “From what I’ve heard at meetings, my impression is that the band wing and renovations to the auditoriums will be included.  I’m hopeful that I’m right.”

            Since teachers have expressed concern that the science classrooms are being split up.  Chemistry and Physics, will remain on the ground floor in the new building while the three earth science rooms will be placed on top of each other on the second, third, and fourth floors, according to science teacher Jennifer Copperthite.

            “I’m worried that if we’re spread out as a department, it’s going to be difficult to move from room to room as teachers teach more than one science, and [it will be] difficult to share materials,” Copperthite said. “If I’m on the fourth floor, and I’ve got a section on physics, I’ve got to go down four floors.  We’ve got teachers on carts, and it’s a nightmare already.”

            Another issue for some community members is the destruction of the 100/200 hallway who expressed concern that the net gain in the number of classrooms following the renovations will be negligible.

“My impression [is that] it was pretty much decided that the demolition of the 100/200 wing would not occur,” Sites said. “Could it be used for the school?  There needs to be a second look to see if it has functional value for FHS.  We’ll know more in the next few weeks.”

            Sites is optimistic about the renovation process.

            “I’d like to see something done every year,” Sites said. “I hope they find the funding to do that because I think we deserve a complete school.  I don’t want to see it drag out years and years.”

According to Bourne, the application for the QSCB bond will occur in May or June. 

            “In the meantime, we have sufficient cash,” Bourne said. “[The] Board of Supervisors publicly expressed support which allows us to continue with the project as scheduled.”

            Above all else, Nobile believes the renovations are essential.     

            “Our students deserve what the other high schools have.  It’s time,” Nobile said. “It’s time that our music and theater students have the facility they need.  They do great things with what we have.  Imagine what they could do with a well-equipped, well-appointed facility!  The students of FHS have waited almost 50 years.  I think that’s plenty long enough.”