3 new Fairfield schools impress residents during dedication events

Fairfield and Fairfield Twp. residents walked away impressed after public tours Saturday of Fairfield City Schools’ three new buildings.

The public tours were offered at the district’s new schools — Fairfield Freshman School, Compass Elementary and the new Central Elementary — after dedication ceremonies today at each.

“This is really an amazing building,” said Richie Wardlow, a sophomore and a Fairfield band member. “(The sophomores) are really jealous. I didn’t get to go to this building, but hey, everybody else gets to enjoy it.”

The new Fairfield Freshman School also features various components from the old freshman school as a nod to the past.

“It’s amazing,” said Lynn Niemiller, a retired Fairfield language arts teacher, as she described the new Freshman School. “I wish I had the opportunity to teach here…. We’re very fortunate to have this in Fairfield.”

Her husband, Tim, taught for three years at the old Freshman School before moving on to the Wyoming School District where he retired. He quipped, “I retired too soon” after seeing the new building.

All three buildings were part of an $80 million construction project that came in under budget and on time, according to School Board President Dan Hare.

Hare called the building projects “a true example of collaboration” among local, school and state officials working closely with the community sharing in the work, risk, resources and rewards.

“This is a real testament of the community and we could not have done this without them,” he said.

Superintendent Billy Smith said he was not surprised by the large turnout on a beautiful Saturday morning.

“Our community has a history of embracing and supporting our schools,” he said. “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from students and parents.”

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