The Giles County Board of Education announced the completion of key building improvements at Bridgeforth Middle School in Pulaski, Tennessee, one of the oldest facilities in the district.
Designed by local architecture firm, Wold Architects and Engineers, the renovation aimed to replace outdated and deteriorating building systems, improve indoor air quality and modernize facility equipment to ensure a safer, more reliable learning environment for students and staff.
District leaders and school administrators marked the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 13, welcoming community members to tour the updated space – a space rich in history. Located in Pulaski, the building has been a priority for leaders to maintain and upgrade, to extend its lifespan while enhancing daily conditions for students and staff.
“These renovations represent an important investment in the long-term success of Bridgeforth Middle and the students who learn here every day,” said Dr. Vickie Beard, director of schools for Giles County Schools. “Now, this historic building can continue serving as a safe place for students and teachers while helping us preserve the life of a facility that means so much to our community.”
Originally constructed in 1958 as the new home for Giles County’s African American high school, the building was named in honor of one of the area’s first Black educators, J. T. Bridgeforth. As enrollment and demand increased, the facility expanded significantly, nearly doubling in size by 1976, and later growing again to accommodate grades five through eight as Bridgeforth Middle School in 1978.
“Bridgeforth is an important part of Pulaski’s educational history and a place where generations of families have learned,” said Knox Vanderpool, school board chairman for Giles County Schools. “Wold’s design team has allowed us to protect the building’s legacy while creating a healthier, more reliable environment for today’s students and staff.”
The project focused on improving critical building infrastructure across the campus. Major updates included replacing HVAC systems in most classrooms to enhance indoor environmental quality and implementing electrical service improvements, water piping replacements, upgraded lighting structures, and a new, fully addressable fire alarm system. Key architectural advancements included installing new ceilings for improved classroom acoustics and replacing existing windows with high thermal performance storefront systems to both strengthen the building envelope and improve the facility’s energy efficiency.
“Projects like this are essential for ensuring schools remain safe, healthy and welcoming places for students,” said Steve Griffin, education practice leader with Wold Architects & Engineers. “By improving building systems and enhancing indoor environmental quality, these renovations support both the longevity of the facility and the well-being of the students and staff who rely on it each day.”
Following the completion of a facilities assessment for the district, Wold partnered with Giles County Board of Education and Brindley Construction to address the building’s physical and environmental needs while helping the district strengthen long-term facility performance.
“By upgrading core building systems and improving indoor air quality, we’re creating a safer and more comfortable environment for students that supports teaching and learning, all while protecting this important school facility for the future,” said Bryan Brindley, construction manager for Brindley Construction.
Earlier phases of the district’s renovation efforts have already earned regional recognition. The Giles County High School renovation project recently received two Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) awards for institutional construction projects exceeding $10 million – one from the North Alabama chapter and another from the Greater Tennessee chapter. District leaders and project partners celebrated these honors during the Bridgeforth Middle School ribbon-cutting ceremony last week, recognizing the continued success of the district’s long-range facilities improvements.
Together, the renovations will help Bridgeforth Middle School continue serving students in Giles County with safer, more resilient and better-performing facilities for years to come.
