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Spotsy schools dedicate facility at John J. Wright Date published: 11/3/2009
BY AARON RICHARDSON
After a six-year effort to renovate and recondition the former John J. Wright Middle School, the Spotsylvania County School Board dedicated the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center last week. While the center has been open since Aug. 25 of last year, dedication was postponed until all renovations were complete. "As word got out about this wonderful building, people wanted to come and tour," building manager Bernardine Miles said. "But I wanted them to see the final product. Like in my own home, I wanted everything in its right place." While the school was thoroughly updated during its renovation, architects kept most of the wood trim and ceramic wall tiles of the original building intact. "John J. Wright has what architects call 'good bones,'" said Bo Fairlamp, who helped design the renovations. "It was a great opportunity to renovate this wonderful old building and preserve the spirit of the building." Superintendent Dr. Jerry Hill proposed the project in 2004, as part of an effort to start an alternative education program in Spotsylvania and to preserve the historic building itself. The Wright Center contains Spotsylvania County's Head Start program, as well as alternate education for middle and high schoolers with disciplinary issues. The center is designed not as a punitive institution for troubled kids, but a nurturing environment for them to continue their education. "Our goal is to eliminate drop-outs," Hill said. "We know what's in the future for a student who drops out, and that's a tough hill to climb." Prior to the Wright Center's existence, Spotsylvania students in need of alternate education had to line up for one of 35 spots at the Fredericksburg center. "Often the spots at that center would be full before Christmas," Hill said. "When the slots were full, the kids had to go home, which was a burden to everyone." With the completion of the Wright Center, that problem has been solved. "We didn't turn away one kid in Spotsy last year," Hill said. The John J. Wright school building played an enormous role in Spotsylvania history throughout the 20th century.
How much did we spend ? and we could not have sent these nice kids all of less then a 100 of them.To a school allready in use? And im asking again how much did we spend on this building?
this building could not be saved ,So how much did we spend building a new school? now it has been saved and that is good.but its more of a chartwell food servise building then a school.Now Mr Hill tell us what the chartwell building was really redone for?
Great job Spotsylvania County, I am so glad you decided
to renovate John J Wright School. I was one of the ones that integrate in 1968 and had to go to another school. I hated leaving there because I loved that school.
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