August 3, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:

Pittsylvania County high schools are going through a renovation and construction transformation during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years. Many have asked if the buildings and grounds will be ready for the first day of school on August 24, 2009. Thankfully, the answer to this question is a resounding YES!

What can be expected at Dan River High School when everyone returns for the 2009-2010 school year? Upon entering the front doors of Dan River High School, students and teachers will be greeted by a newly renovated main office area, guidance area, and state-of-the-art library. The new addition will house twelve classrooms, which will be home to the mathematics, social studies, foreign language, and marketing departments beginning in August. Teachers and students will also be moving into newly renovated classrooms in the upstairs main hallway, which will include the English and business departments. Everyone will enjoy the updated dining hall with four new serving lines and expanded seating. The school will be fully operational as exciting new changes continue throughout the school year. As with any transformation, difficulties may arise; however, I am confident that the new and newly renovated areas of the building will prove that the end product is well worth any minor inconveniences along the way.

I have included a schedule for your review that includes the plans for completion of the high school renovation project. You will notice that the work has been divided into phases which include:

PHASE	TIMELINE	CONSTRUCTION PLAN
Phase I	December 2008 – June 2009	New classroom wing and dining addition
Phase II	June 2009 – October 2009 1st Summer June 2009 – August 2009	Kitchen/dining, administration, library, upstairs A-wing and business labs
Phase III	August 2009 – January 2010	Downstairs A-wing
Phase IV	February 2010 – June 2010	Family and consumer science labs, auditorium and/or band/chorus room and career and technical classrooms
Phase V	June 2010 – October 2010 2nd Summer June 2010 – August 2010	Career and technical shops/labs   Science wing, gym, locker rooms, auditorium and/or band/chorus room

·         Phases III, IV and V are likely to be accelerated ahead of the existing schedule.  

Traditionally, our high schools have been a source of pride and a symbol of the community’s determination to ensure a brighter future for everyone. According to a National Alliance of Business report, “the second most often cited reason for a business selecting a particular location is the quality of the schools.”

If our students are to compete in a global economy, our investment in education must be sufficient to produce good citizens and a world-class workforce. This includes making investments in school facilities which improve academic achievement, teacher retention, and the health and safety of our students and staff. 

May I take this opportunity to say thank you for your support and patience as we move forward to the completion of this important project.

Respectfully,
James E. McDaniel
Division Superintendent

Photo Tours of Dan River High's Renovations in Progress | Schedule At-A-Glance
Phasing Plans (PDF) | Renovations Home | PCS Home