By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

EDGARD – The grand opening of a completely renovated and expanded West St. John Elementary School was celebrated in style Friday morning as students served as tour guides for community members and school officials.

Groups of middle school students walked the halls pointing out changes and new features included in a roughly $11 million overhaul at the school. The project, which broke ground at the end of the 2008-09 school year, was financed as part of a $46 million bond issue approved by voters in 2008.

“There has been such a renewed sense of pride among students, teachers and everyone else in the building,” said Principal Serina Duke. “Everyone is ecstatic about how it turned out, and there is a great deal of excitement over the possibilities for future school years.”

The renovation added a new two-story building with floor-to-ceiling windows that includes a new media center, library and expanded classrooms for first through seventh grade, with more amenities and new technology. Kindergarteners remain in the old school building, which was integrated into the new parts of the school.

“It made for a challenging project, but it was one we were excited to tackle,” said Floyd Luster of CSRS, the school district’s consulting firm. “The school is more than 60 years old, but we knew how important the facility is to the West St. John community.”

With classrooms on two stories in the new building, Duke said the school changed dress codes this year to reflect where students were supposed to be during the school day. She said the first floor, which is home to first, second and third grades, wears navy blue, while the second floor, which houses fourth through seventh grades, wears royal blue.

“It has been smooth sailing since we started construction,” Duke said.

“The students have been amazing throughout the process, and they are proud of the results. Teachers are happy to have more space to work with and more technology to utilize,” she added.

Duke said other changes that were part of the renovation include a new floor and retractable bleachers in the gym, renovations to the auditorium and cafeteria and a new science lab. She said the school also added a new main secure entry point near the school office that requires visitors to check in before going into the building.

“We have had issues in the past with parents walking through the doors and heading straight to classrooms,” Duke said. “We just wanted that extra level of safety.”

Duke said the renovations also put an end to sewer and drainage issues that have hindered the school for decades. She said roof leaks and flooding were problems in nearly every classroom in the building.

“Every time it rained, teachers and faculty had to sand bag classrooms to keep water out,” Duke said. “Almost every ceiling had leaks. It was a distraction that is all behind us now.”

Luster said the new building was built more than a foot higher than the previous structure in an effort to correct the drainage issues.

Students giving tours Friday offered glowing reviews of the new school building.

“There’s more space, more technology, nicer classrooms. I think it is allowing us to learn more,” said seventh-grader Lakendra Lewis. “I’m excited about the changes.”

Another seventh-grader, Deandria Webb, raved about the new library and media center.

“It is so much nicer than the old library we had,” Webb said. “I like the larger windows and the bigger space.”

School board member Russell Jack, who was on hand for some of the tours, said the new school is a positive for the students, faculty and the community, who often use the building for outside functions. Jack had just one request for the students regarding the school.

“Value it,” he said. “Take care of it as you would your own home.”