News

Commissioners, School Board celebrate completion of security upgrade at WHHS

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 4, 2025

Architects, contractors and county capital projects managers joined Henderson County commissioners and School Board members Thursday to celebrate the completion of nearly $5 million worth of work at West Henderson High School to upgrade security, renovate administrative offices and connect two buildings.

The West Henderson High School Secure Entries Project used county MRTS funding — maintenance, repair, technology and security — for the interior and exterior upgrades, designed by LS3P architects and constructed by Carolina Specialties, the general contractor. The project was completed on time and came under the $5 million budget. The project aimed to secure the open courtyard spaces between buildings, allowing students to stay within a secure campus. It also created a double-point entry at a new front entrance to the school.
There were three areas of construction:

• Area A – renovation of the existing admin suite, new construction of the front office and secure vestibule space, new construction of the courtyard security wall with accessible ramp to connect to the commons area.
• Area B – new construction of a new building that connects X building, Y building, and the gym. It provides a security wall to close off the open courtyard, 4 much needed bathrooms, and accessible ramping to connect all 3 buildings. This now allows students an opportunity to change classes without having to leave a climatized environment.
• Area C – new construction of security fencing, with egress gates, to secure the courtyard at the back of the campus.