BY MILES LAYTON

Rather than write this story as a standard news article, I decided to write this letter to my two sons, Robert and Joseph, who will be attending the new John A. Holmes High School.  

Dear Robert and Joseph, 

Let’s start with the Career and Technical Education wing – Home Economics or whatever they call that class these days – Food Science – it has five kitchen sites, up from four. 

Construction Class – is huge – students can do stuff indoors in the work area versus how it’s now done, in some cases, in the parking lot by that classroom in the old CTE wing. And there’s a separate classroom space for instruction. Also, there’s a garage door, so you get building materials inside more easily.   

Ag Science – that adorable rabbit named Gray is going to love the additional space – huge classroom.  

Main Hallway – you can see from end of the school to the other – you can see the Armory! Same with seeing from Broad Street to Oakum Street! There are three stairways – one at each end of the hallway and another in the middle. 

Speaking of Armory, there will be a covered walkway to get from the school to the Armory. 

There’s a large space near the main – center – entrance that’s called a “collaborative” space where teachers can meet for staff meetings, maybe hold class. By that area is a computer lab with an Adobe Lab – that’s an important computer program that kids need to know.  

Gym – it’s gigantic – I can just imagine the crowds cheering for the Aces. On that note, coaches’ offices are close to the gym – no more combining the coaches all into one office.  And the athletic trainer’s space is nearby – definitely an upgrade in terms of space and comfort. The trainer also has pretty easy access to the outside ball fields.  

More or less near the auditorium is the arts’ wing where there’s an arts studio, choir and marching band areas. 

There are boys and girls lockerooms for visiting teams – that’s a good thing. 

Get this – the concession stand is contiguous to the cafeteria, also near the gym. That means, maybe someday we’re going to have hamburgers and such, maybe made to order, at Aces’ indoor sporting events, concerts or theatrical productions. Also, the cafeteria will have two serving lines – means less of a wait during lunches when time is of the essence.     

Administration – Principal Rinehart’s going to have a bigger, much improved office. 

There’ll be four columns in the front – just like at old JAHHS building so as to preserve the past while acknowledging the future.  

Classroom space upstairs – Science teacher Rachel O’Kelley is going to love her classroom – bigger, much bigger with an accompanying lab.  

There’s one science classroom – it has a great view of Historic Hicks Field.  

So boys, I hope you enjoy your new school. Be sure to thank the Edenton-Chowan Board of Education, Chowan County Commission and the citizens who supported this venture. That school is going to be amazing! 

– Dad

 

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Brabble provided a detailed progress report on the ongoing renovations at John A. Holmes High School during a recent Edenton-Chowan Schools Board of Education meeting. The project remains on track for completion in 2026.

Brabble described active work across several areas of the site:

• Ceiling grids and mechanical systems are nearly finished on the second floor.
• Restroom tile on the main floor is about 75% complete.
• Entry doors are being installed, with white panels expected to finish the building’s front exterior facade by July.
• The core wing, housing administrative offices, the kitchen, and cafeteria, is being painted, and window installation is underway.
• Roofing from the gym to the auditorium has begun, and auditorium walls are nearing completion at 52 feet tall.
• Work is progressing in the band and choir rooms, where overhead systems are being installed and drywall is being finalized.

Site improvements are also taking shape, including:

• Drainage work and prep for a new parking lot.
• Installation of foundations for generators and transformers.
• Upgrades at the Boy Scout Hut, which is expected to be nearly complete by mid-July.

The main parking lot behind the school will be worked on during the summer. Field house access will be preserved during summer construction, with access being available through the front of the property. The parking lot project should be done by the time the fall sports season starts.