Fleming Cuts the Ribbon

Mayor David Bowers speaks at ribbon cutting ceremony.
Mayor David Bowers speaks at ribbon cutting ceremony.

Roanokers had the opportunity to celebrate and tour the completed $57 million dollar William Fleming High School on September 3, just five days prior to the beginning of a new school year for faculty and students.   Featuring wide hallways, a state of the art library, a gym that will hold the entire student body, an upgraded security system and an entire wing devoted to the visual and performing arts, the building is designed to hold more than 1800 students.

Hundreds of people were on hand for the ribbon cutting, including Roanoke City School officials, Mayor David Bowers, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, State Senator John Edwards and Delegate Onzlee Ware. “To stand here today and to see all of this is a tremendous thing,” remarked Sherman Lea, Vice-Mayor for Roanoke City Council.

A former superintendent who worked as a teacher, principal, and administrator within the school system, Doris Ennis is serving as “Administrator on Assignment” for the interim while Principal Susan Willis awaits a decision by the Roanoke City School Board as to her future with the school system.  An investigation conducted by Department of Education recently found Willis to be implicated in a SOL cheating scandal at William Fleming High School.

Ennis has retired from the school system several times and each time has been called back to serve in various capacities.  Mayor David Bowers commented that Ennis has “retired more than anybody in the City of Roanoke and she’s not through yet.”

Bowers provided a historical overview on Colonel William Fleming and said that he [Colonel Fleming] “was transformed – and William Fleming High School is transformed.”  The school is named after Fleming, a member of the General Assembly who served as state senator and briefly acted as governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War.

School Board Chairman David Carson pointed out that the new school was “completed on time and under budget.”  Carson said the large attendance at the celebration was “evidence of this community coming together.”  Bowers and other dignitaries cut the blue and gold ribbon amid shouts of joy and hand clapping.

The ceremony closed with Fleming senior Sarah Furrow giving a rousing speech. Student-led tours began at the conclusion of the ceremony and those in attendance were treated to cake and punch. The scheduled date for completion of the new football stadium at William Fleming High School is fall 2010; meanwhile the old Fleming high school is being demolished next door.

By Susan Ayers
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