HOT SPRINGS -- Construction has begun on the Langston Aerospace and Environmental Studies Magnet School in the Hot Springs School District.
The elementary school is being built on Chestnut Street on the site of the former Langston High School.
"Over the next 18 months, we will have the privilege to watch a brand-new Langston elementary building be constructed," said Hot Springs School District Superintendent Stephanie Nehus, who joined the district in 2009 when she began a three-year stint as principal of Langston.
"Our faculty, students, families and community deserve the best facilities we can provide in order to educate our students to reach their highest potential," she said.
Voters narrowly approved -- 1,087-1,041 -- a millage increase of 4.4 mills and the extension of 10.8 debt-service mills for 15 more years. The approval came 16 months after a proposed 2-mill increase was rejected 627-563.
The first Langston High School was built in 1914 on Silver Street and named in honor of John Mercer Langston, a black man who was an abolitionist, activist, attorney, diplomat and educator. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War.
Langston High School was widely regarded and accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. A more modern building was completed in 1964, only four years before the district integrated Langston students into Hot Springs High School.
"As we stand here on this historic site, formerly Langston High School, we are reminded of the impact this school has made in the community in the past and how it continues to impact our community today," said Langston Principal Eileen Ellars said.
"We must never lose sight of the significance that Langston has had on the lives of all those who have walked the halls of Langston High School in the past and those who have attended, and are still attending, Langston magnet elementary. This is a school rich with history and incredible memories that we will continue to embrace in our new building as we move forward."
The millage increase and extension will generate more than $54 million for new construction, including almost $32 million for a new junior high campus next to the Hot Springs World Class High School on Emory Street with a 2,200-seat multipurpose arena and a 1,000-seat auditorium. The junior high and a new $14 million building for Langston accounted for about 85 percent of the district's planned projects.
The scope of planning delayed the start of construction on the district's two largest projects. The district has yet to start building the junior high.
Plans call for the relocation of Gardner STEM Magnet School and Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School, and the dissolution of Hot Springs Intermediate School. All four magnet elementary schools will extend to sixth grade instead of fourth grade, and children in grades seven through nine will attend Hot Springs Junior Academy junior high.
Metro on 11/16/2017