Vinton community celebrates renovation/expansion project completion at William Byrd with ribbon-cutting

By Debbie Adams

William Byrd High School faculty, staff, and students, officials from the Roanoke County
School Board, the Board of Supervisors, and the Town of Vinton, and the team from Avis
Construction came together on September 25 to celebrate the completion of a renovation and
expansion project at the school which began some three years ago. Dozens of pairs of gold
scissors were available for those who participated in the long-awaited ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The approximately $30 million project ultimately involved over 100,000 square feet of
renovations and roughly 13,500 square feet of additions. Renovations encompassed the now 21 st
century, state-of-the-art science labs, the band room, the shop, weight room, media center,
guidance offices, library, the main gym, and front lobby, and major renovations throughout the
classrooms and hallways. Additions included choir and art rooms, a wrestling room, and a new
front entrance portico.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Department now has its own large kitchen within the
classroom. The main office has a connecting hallway to the guidance suite. Much-needed storage
has been added. The auditorium has a new sound system, new curtains, and new lighting. There
are no more cords dangling from the ceiling or running across the floor to accommodate
computers and technology. Electrical receptacles are abundant.

Hallways are lined with display cases for student work and awards. The front portico is covered
to make a special place for seniors, along with their front lobby. Desks have been replaced in the
art and science rooms by tables that allow students to stand or sit on stools to work.
New Principal Travis Anderson welcomed guests to the ceremony with thanks to the many
people involved.

“To the staff, students, and parents who endured the construction process over the past three
years, I would like to thank you. Your patience, willingness to change plans at a moment’s
notice, and positive attitude throughout this process was not only recognized, but greatly
appreciated. Today we get to celebrate this significant milestone in William Byrd’s history. From
expanded and modernized science labs, updated classrooms, to brand new art rooms and
renovated gym facilities, these improvements will enhance the educational experience and foster
a vibrant, engaging atmosphere for all.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project, from the design and construction teams
to our dedicated staff and supportive community members. Together we are building a brighter
future for our students. Let’s celebrate this achievement and look forward to many successes that
will come from these new and improved spaces.”

Anderson noted that while piecemeal renovations have been completed over the years since the
school was constructed in 1969, this was its first complete renovation. Although September 25
was the official grand opening, there was a soft opening, and students occupied the building
completely after spring break earlier this year.

School Superintendent Dr. Ken Nicely noted that William Byrd High School is the oldest high
school in Roanoke County, and one that boasts a “great sense of community, pride, and school
spirit.” Many members of the Vinton community are graduates of WBHS.

Nicely commended former Principal Tammy Newcomb for her efforts to “preserve the character
and history of the school,” and commented that the new choir room is the first-ever choir room at
the high school. The award-winning William Byrd choir program, under the leadership of Choral
Director Matt Bartley, is large and growing rapidly; a dedicated space will allow that growth to
continue.

Nicely mentioned that while the project has taken over two years to complete, “There was short-
term pain– but what a gain!”

Tim Greenway, who represents the Vinton Magisterial District on the Roanoke County School
Board, said, “When you look for heroes in the county, there are people who deserve credit for
making this happen, including Travis Anderson, Tammy Newcomb, and their staff.” He also
thanked Avis Construction and its president, Troy Smith, for not only their work, but their
personal interaction with the staff in both design and construction.

“This means everything to the community,” Greenway said. “Students are proud to come to this
school. We have affected a couple of generations in a positive way. As a realtor, I know that the
first question buyers have is about the quality of the schools. Schools are an economic driver.”

He commended Avis and Smith for preserving much of the history of the decades-old school
(which opened in 1971) maintaining “the same gym, the same corridors,” and more, but with a
new look. (The original William Byrd High School was built in the 1920s in downtown Vinton.)

Greenway also spoke proudly of the unique Roanoke County School Board and Board of
Supervisors revenue-sharing agreement that makes financing school construction and
renovations possible. He thanked both boards for contributing funds to update facilities and their
“great commitment to education.”

In an interview, Greenway commended Newcomb, Anderson, and the WBHS staff for
coordinating the renovation/expansion project– "a tremendous amount of work for them and the
staff.”

“As for Dr. Nicely, he was the push we needed to get over the top,” Greenway said. “If he didn’t
see the need, we would not have made it to the start line. He was very instrumental in getting us
off the ground. As for board members, Don Butzer was the person I was able to align with to get
this project started. He saw the need, as I did, as a priority. He saw the need as the only high
school not renovated as of that time. The others voted with us, but if Don hadn’t seen the need,
we wouldn’t have been able to get WBHS done. If it weren’t for Don Butzer and Ken Nicely,
WBHS would not have happened.”

Former WBHS Principal Tammy Newcomb, now the Executive Director of Administration for
Roanoke County Public Schools, said, “Tim Greenway is the ‘voice of Vinton.’ When he came
on the School Board, the locker rooms at WBHS were in shambles. This was the beginning of
the total renovation. He ‘championed’ for WBHS. We had not only the locker rooms redone, but
the turf field and the Bermuda field were put in for both William Byrd schools. Tim's resilience
certainly was a key factor in renovating WBHS. Travis Anderson was the ‘machine behind the
scene.’ Many times, Travis was fixing things and voicing suggestions needed to make the
renovation perfect. His tenacity was key to the finished beautiful school we now have.”