Buchanan County breaks ground on consolidated Southern Gap High School; federal, state and local officials attend

Southern Gap — Buchanan County Public Schools on Friday marked the official groundbreaking for the consolidated Southern Gap High School, a project board and federal officials say will replace Hurley High School and the tech center and consolidate up to two other county high schools.

"This day is not just about the groundbreaking," said Sherry Fletcher, division superintendent and emcee for the ceremony. "It is about building dreams, fostering opportunities, and laying the foundation for a brighter future for our kids." The ceremony included short remarks from board chair Angie McClanahan and representatives from federal and state offices.

Board chair Angie McClanahan said the project — years in the planning — will expand academic, vocational and extracurricular opportunities. "This facility will open so many doors for academics, sports, vocational trades, arts and musical opportunities for our children," she said.

Contractor and project manager Curtis Salesleit of Skanska told the board and crowd that the design team has completed school design, permit applications have been submitted, and the health department has approved kitchen and culinary spaces. On-site work is under way, Salesleit said: building pads are graded, gym footers were poured recently, bus parking has been filled and crews have started work on the football field and parking areas. Tim Burge, identified in the meeting as Skanska’s on-site inspector, showed photographs of the concrete pour and footing work and asked the crowd to keep good weather for ongoing operations.

Federal involvement and funding were prominent in remarks. Sherry Fletcher and others recounted the program history tied to flood response and cited the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act and related Section 202 funding that, according to presenters, provided federal appropriations and supplemental disaster relief to complete flood-risk measures that enabled the relocation decision. Colonel Jason Putman, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Huntington District, said the Corps had roles ranging from disaster response to project implementation and offered congratulations to local leaders who advanced the project.

Local and state representatives who attended — including a representative from U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner’s office and a representative of state Sen. Todd Pillion — read messages of support and presented symbolic recognition for project staff. Project partners, including Skanska and Branch Builds (design-build), and subcontractors and consultants also introduced team members assisting on architecture, civil engineering and furniture procurement.

Officials emphasized schedule and next steps rather than a fixed opening date: Salesleit said permits were expected soon, procurement for furniture and CTE (career and technical education) equipment remains to be finalized, and further contract amendments and testing allowances for construction work were pending board approval and legal review.

The ceremony concluded with a traditional shovel-turn by invited officials and community members. Officials said some administrative items remain — design refinements, procurement decisions and contract reviews — but described the event as a major milestone for the district.

What happens next: administration will return to the board for equipment and furniture approvals, and several contract amendments and procurement items will proceed through legal review as construction continues.