Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Lincoln County Schools are returning to the classroom Monday, but construction crews are still working at Duval as the district prepares the new pre-K through eighth grade facility. Superintendent Frank Barnett said the district expects students to move into the new building later this year.
“It’s coming. It’s coming soon. We are working hard to get them in here,” Barnett said.
Duval Elementary’s original building was declared unsafe nearly five years ago, leaving students and staff without a permanent school. In the years since, students were split among multiple locations, with many moving into the Lincoln County Schools central office — a former vocational center.
Teacher Brandy McFann described the challenges of setting up learning spaces that were never intended for elementary students.
“We had whiteboards lined up against the wall. We had to scavenge to find some desks and we didn’t have windows so that was a big change for us too so,” she said. “We just had to take the space and just make it our own. It was a lot of hard work but we have a really great team that were able to help us."
The temporary setup required major changes: an automotive shop was transformed into a cafeteria, vocational areas were converted into classrooms and students went without a full-sized gym or much outdoor space.
Barnett said the new school is expected to bring more than what students had before, and he believes it will have a positive impact.
“I think when you feel pride in something, I think it boosts the tenants, it boosts behavior, it boosts achievement," he said. "I think it’s a win-win across the board. These kids are going to be happy to be proud of something and take care of something and call it their own."
The new building includes a full-size gym, art facility, STEM center, band room, cafeteria and a stage for performances.
As the move gets closer, Barnett said he will miss seeing students in the current building.
“From time to time it gets noisy, but I've got to be honest, I’m going to miss the littles," he admitted. "I start my morning every morning, coming down the hallway with a high five on both hands on either side of the hallway."
Crews are working through the final stages, with the district aiming to have everything fully operational before students arrive.
“Just to actually see this coming to fruition has just been overwhelming to me to make sure that we get this done for our kids. They deserve it. Our kids and our staff deserve it,” Barnett said.
Construction is expected to wrap up later this fall, with students starting at the new Duval building just after Christmas break.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/duvall-elementarys-new-school-takes-shape-after-years-in-temporary-classrooms
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Lincoln County Schools are returning to the classroom Monday, but construction crews are still working at Duval as the district prepares the new pre-K through eighth grade facility. Superintendent Frank Barnett said the district expects students to move into the new building later this year.
“It’s coming. It’s coming soon. We are working hard to get them in here,” Barnett said.
Duval Elementary’s original building was declared unsafe nearly five years ago, leaving students and staff without a permanent school. In the years since, students were split among multiple locations, with many moving into the Lincoln County Schools central office — a former vocational center.
Teacher Brandy McFann described the challenges of setting up learning spaces that were never intended for elementary students.
“We had whiteboards lined up against the wall. We had to scavenge to find some desks and we didn’t have windows so that was a big change for us too so,” she said. “We just had to take the space and just make it our own. It was a lot of hard work but we have a really great team that were able to help us."
The temporary setup required major changes: an automotive shop was transformed into a cafeteria, vocational areas were converted into classrooms and students went without a full-sized gym or much outdoor space.
Barnett said the new school is expected to bring more than what students had before, and he believes it will have a positive impact.
“I think when you feel pride in something, I think it boosts the tenants, it boosts behavior, it boosts achievement," he said. "I think it’s a win-win across the board. These kids are going to be happy to be proud of something and take care of something and call it their own."
The new building includes a full-size gym, art facility, STEM center, band room, cafeteria and a stage for performances.
As the move gets closer, Barnett said he will miss seeing students in the current building.
“From time to time it gets noisy, but I've got to be honest, I’m going to miss the littles," he admitted. "I start my morning every morning, coming down the hallway with a high five on both hands on either side of the hallway."
Crews are working through the final stages, with the district aiming to have everything fully operational before students arrive.
“Just to actually see this coming to fruition has just been overwhelming to me to make sure that we get this done for our kids. They deserve it. Our kids and our staff deserve it,” Barnett said.
Construction is expected to wrap up later this fall, with students starting at the new Duval building just after Christmas break.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/duvall-elementarys-new-school-takes-shape-after-years-in-temporary-classrooms
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
