Renovated school delights teachers

East Millbrook awaits students

If you want to see teachers giddy, show them a new classroom with more storage space than they can fill, state-of-the art appliances and an auditorium that seats more than 600 students.

Those are just a few of the goodies that had East Millbrook Middle School teachers smiling on Monday as they got a chance to move into their rooms in a new three-story classroom building.

"I've never had a new building," said Brenda Harrington, who has taught for 30 years.

As she surveyed her classroom, Harrington added, "I just might teach 10 more years."

Parts of East Millbrook are still undergoing construction as part of a $30 million renovation.

Plans for the campus include new classroom buildings, a cafeteria, an auditorium, and upgrades to the administrative offices and media center.

The new building houses the auditorium, foreign language classes, drama, music, and career and technical education classes.

Renovations are still going on in the cafeteria and the administration building. Principal Andrew Livengood said mobile units will be used for the cafeteria in the interim.

A long time coming

The campus upgrade is long overdue. The renovations were first planned in 2003, but other projects delayed them.

In 2006, David Ansbacher, then East Millbrook's principal, lobbied Wake County's school board for a larger auditorium than the 450-seat version in original plans. Ansbacher's plea worked, and the board agreed to pay more than $120,000 to add 150 seats.

Special consideration was given to East Millbrook because it is one of two schools in North Raleigh and Midtown that offer the International Baccalaureate and Creative Arts magnet program.

Teachers say the new facilities complement the curriculum.

"It is awesome," drama teacher Curt Carlyle said as he strolled through the auditorium, admiring the shiny sound and light equipment. "It opens up the possibilities of us having a truly comprehensive program."

Parents had often complained that the old auditorium lacked enough seating for the students to watch performances, some of which had to be held in the gym.

"It's been tough to tell parents about the IB program and not have the facilities to back it up," said Livengood.

East Millbrook's auditorium now ranks with other middle schools, such as Ligon and Daniels, which have two of the largest.

Jane Stokes, who teaches family and consumer science, was excited as she moved about her classroom, equipped with new microwave ovens, stoves with lots of counter space.

Eventually, a television could be added so students could watch the Food Network for lessons.

"I can be creative and more energetic," she said. "I think I can be a better teacher in this room."