Topping Out Ceremony Marks Major Milestone for New E.B. Frink Middle School

Lenoir County Public Schools celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of the new E.B. Frink Middle School with a topping out ceremony, marking the placement of the final beam on the structure. The event highlighted the progress of a project that represents years of planning, collaboration, and community investment. The new school is scheduled to open in Spring 2027.

Superintendent Brent Williams described the moment as more than a construction benchmark, emphasizing the collective effort behind the project.

“Today represents a journey. It’s an important milestone step in a journey,” Williams said. “It’s a journey of construction, but it’s also a journey of partnership, of collaboration, of shared work and shared vision.”

The new E.B. Frink Middle School has come to life through the combined efforts of numerous local and state partners. Lenoir County Public Schools extends its sincere appreciation to the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners, the Town Council of La Grange, the citizens of Lenoir County, the North Carolina General Assembly, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for their continued support and investment in public education.

The district also recognizes the work of its project partners, including SfL+a Architects and Metcon, whose expertise and leadership have helped guide the design and construction process.

Williams noted that the new facility represents a commitment to providing students with the best possible learning environment.

“This school represents what our students and our community deserve, the very best available,” he said. “The best educational opportunities in our classrooms every day, and the best school buildings that we can give them.”

He also reflected on the legacy of the current school building, acknowledging the meaningful teaching and learning that continues to take place there each day, while looking ahead to the opportunities the new facility will provide.

The topping out ceremony symbolizes both progress and promise, as the district continues working toward the completion of a modern middle school designed to support student success for years to come.

With construction moving forward on schedule, Lenoir County Public Schools looks ahead with excitement to opening the doors of the new E.B. Frink Middle School in Spring 2027, a space that will serve as a lasting investment in the future of its students and community.