After a tax referendum to replace Franklinton Junior High School failed in 2017, school system leaders began looking at ways to improve and renovate the existing school.
That effort is evident today, with a major renovation project underway at the historic school.
Franklinton Junior High was originally Franklinton High School. The current building was constructed after the high school burned in 1938. Later, when a new Franklinton High School was built on Section Line Road, the old building became Franklinton Junior High.
The gothic style pre-WWII building is a familiar and beloved landmark in Franklinton. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
The current renovation project at FJHS still has a ways to go. Work will continue during the upcoming 2023-24 school year.
But parish school superintendent Frances Varnado said classes at the school will be conducted in a normal manner. She said between now and the Christmas break, work will be done on the right side of the building (looking at FJHS from Main Street.). Entrances to the right side have been boarded up to prevent students from going into the construction area, she said.
After the Christmas break, the other side of the building will be boarded up as remodeling work takes place there.
Mrs. Varnado said some classes will be conducted in the gym and modular buildings but, she added, all classes will be as normal as possible during the renovation project.
Both Mrs. Varnado and School Board President John Wyble said they are both pleased and excited about the renovation project.
As of now, new roofs have been installed on the cafeteria, the gym, and the auditorium. The new roof for the main building was almost complete at presstime this week.
Wyble noted that the project is divided into Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 involves the classrooms on the right side of the building and Phase 2, to be done after Christmas break, involves classrooms on the left side of the building.
In addition to the roof work that is already completed, Wyble offered a listing of where Phase 1 now stands:
•Waterproofing of bricks due to the age and water getting in the brick --- the School Board will vote on awarding this bid this week.
•The 14 classrooms in Phase 1 will be completed by Christmas Break
•The downstairs boys and girls bathrooms have been completely renovated and will be ready when school starts on August 7
•Plaster work is now underway in the stairway, hallway, and rooms where it is needed to fix cracks
•Floors are being prepped for new flooring
•New subfloors have been completed where they were needed
•Marking is underway for paint colors in classrooms and priming of walls
•The lights that are being installed in all areas will automatically shut off after 15 minutes of no movement
•All of the old drop ceilings have been removed
•The crews are prepping walls for new white boards
• Reception area, new principal’s office, the nurse’s station and the school counselor’s office are under progress for new walls that need to be built.
Wyble noted that when Phase 2 starts after Christmas break, it will include renovations on 11 classroom, the library, the administrative offices, the conference room, and the upstairs restrooms.
He also said that projects are underway to enhance school safety at Franklinton Elementary and Enon Elementary. This is being accomplished with a federal grant.
Wyble added, “Once the projects are completed at these two elementary schools, we will have improved security at every school in the Washington Parish system.
