Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, October 06, 2008

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Talia Allen, a 5-year-old kindergartener, was near the front of the line for face-painting during the open house at William Wells Brown Elementary School.

 William Wells Brown Elementary School opened its doors to the community Sunday afternoon to give everyone a chance to come view the beautiful new building. But possibilities and potential were all anyone could see.

“This part of the city is turning around, and to be part of that is very special,” said Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman, who praised Principal Yvonne Peace and her staff for their work.

He also credited the partnership with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, through which the area’s residents gained not only a school but also a community center. There’s a kitchen, multipurpose room, computer lab and exercise area for adults, who can come to study for their GED and get financial planning assistance.

Representatives of the school’s 24-member chorus sang “Look to the Future” as families and supporters beamed. It was the first performance for the fledgling group, led by music teacher Sue Jordan.  The open house was sort of a coming-out party for the school, and everyone was on board.

Mayor Jim Newberry spoke about the potential, too. A little more than a year ago, “we were breaking ground on a future for this whole area,” he said. “It’s easy to believe the future is now. … There is not any place in our community where the transformation is any greater.”

Other speakers included the Rev. C.B. Akins of the State Board of Education, Mark Moore of J.M. Smuckers Inc. and Jill Chenault-Wilson, director of the community center.

“You have an incredible resource for developing the minds and bodies of the young men and women in our neighborhood,” said Moore, whose company helped fund the playground at the new school, which replaced Johnson Elementary.

Akins agreed, saying, “It’s going to lift and heighten all of the expectations we have for our children.”

In addition to the brand new $15 million school building, the school district has invested nearly $700,000 at William Wells Brown as part of a “Turnaround Challenge” to dramatically accelerate student learning. Not only do students have the benefit of small-group instruction, classes are also offered in physical education, art, music (instrumental and vocal), computer, guidance, library, violin and chess.

“We look forward to watching our kids soar,” Silberman said.