Chesterfield County Public Schools recently celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of the new Bensley Elementary School with a topping-off ceremony. This event, a tradition in the construction industry, marks the placement of the final structural beam.
School Board Chair Ann Coker remarked on the occasion, stating, “As we watch that final beam lifted into place, it will be a community vision becoming real. It’s the result of collaboration, careful planning and shared commitment to providing the best for our children. Modern schools like this one are more than just educational spaces. They’re symbols of hope, opportunity and progress.”
The beam was signed by Bensley students and staff as well as county and school leaders before being hoisted atop the two-story building. It featured an evergreen tree symbolizing good luck and growth, a broom representing a “clean sweep” indicating no loss of life during construction, and an American flag denoting patriotism and hard work.
Superintendent Dr. John Murray commented on the broader significance of the day: “Today is a celebration not just of construction progress, but of community investment. We are topping off a state-of-the-art school building that will serve our students and educators well for decades to come. We can’t wait to welcome students back here in 2026 to a building that honors the legacy of Bensley and provides even greater opportunities for the future.”
The new facility is part of Chesterfield County’s larger community facilities plan enabled by a 2022 bond referendum approved by voters. The $52 million project is funded through Virginia Public School Authority bonds and aims to nearly double student capacity from 575 to 1,000 while offering modern learning environments suited for contemporary education.
Bensley’s design follows Chesterfield’s elementary school prototype with input from staff and families influencing features such as exterior colors. Construction remains on schedule for completion before the 2026-27 academic year begins.
Chesterfield County Public Schools is central Virginia’s largest school system with over 64,000 students across 67 schools.
