Independence Middle School was in the early stages of a major renovation project when Racquel Sutton came aboard as principal at the start of 2022.

Even though she took over at Bethel Park High School as lead administrator this July, she figured prominently during Independence’s Sept. 10 rededication ceremony.

“I’d like to thank our teachers for being flexible, our students for enduring three years of moving from space to space, and our community for being understanding through such a wonderful transformation,” she said at the event, which marked the effective conclusion of the $55 million, 32-month project at the middle school.

The ceremony, which featured the cutting of three ribbons by various groups, included a tour of the interior with students serving as guides.

“I hope that you’re excited to see the space, and I hope you’re as happy with it as I am,” Sutton said. I’m very proud to have been part of this journey, and I look forward to seeing the future of IMS with Mr. Fodse at the helm.”

James Fodse is another Bethel Park administrator who switched roles in July, moving from high school assistant principal to Independence principal. He made sure to thank Sutton.

“I really appreciate all the hard work you did, and I know how hard it was in the years that you put into this. So I promise I will take care of it and I’ll try not to lose the keys,” Fodse joked.

“To everyone who’s been involved, this is a pretty monumental project,” he continued. “And I understand that as the principal of this school, I don’t take it lightly that we have a new beginning now.”

While some finishing touches take place at Independence, administrators are collaborating with faculty and staff members to prepare for the addition of sixth graders for 2026-27. The school continues to serve seventh and eighth grade students this year.

“We’re looking at ways to reinvigorate our curriculum. We’re looking at ways to change how we teach, how we instruct our students,” Fodse said. “We’re going to be changing schedules. We’re going to be changing a lot of things. And we’re going to make it even better, and make it better for you, the students.”

As was the case with several district projects, including construction of the current high school and renovations at Neil Armstrong Middle School, Robinson-based HDG Architects provided design and other services throughout the Independence project.

“One of the biggest things here was trying to make sure we focused on getting natural daylight throughout the building, so a lot of the windows in the building were increased in size,” HDG principal Andrew Campanaro said. “But what was important was making sure we maintained safety. So it’s a lot of tinted one-way glass. You can’t actually see in well from the outside.”

He thanked the Independence teachers and administrators for their cooperation and insight.

“We had so many meetings with them going over different details, what the project was going to need to be and what it was going to look like, what each space needed,” he said. “So without their help, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

SiteLogIQ, headquartered in Minneapolis, handled construction management.

“Construction projects present great opportunities for failure,” Mike Arnold, vice president for operations, said. “There are a lot of safety issues that can occur, and obviously, in a renovation, a lot of complicated situations. And to get to this point is no small feat, especially when we’re in an industry that is lacking in manpower and labor.”

Along with speakers’ comments at the rededication, the Independence Singers group of eighth graders lent their voices to a moving rendition of “What a Wonderful World,” written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, and made popular by Louis Armstrong.

“They’ve been with me for the last few years and are always willing to lend a helping hand, to sing for any event that we have at our school and in our community,” said their director, Tricia Quinque.

The singers joined Independence honor students in the ceremonial cutting of a red ribbon, symbolizing celebration. Teachers and administrators lacerated a white ribbon, emblematic of a new beginning, and school board members, present and past, had a turn with the scissors, as well.

“The blue ribbon symbolizes our pride,” Superintendent James Walsh said about the final strip. “This school has been the fabric of the community for several generations. We’re proud to rededicate it to the community of Bethel Park.”

Independence Middle School opened in 1975, and the district named it in honor of the nation’s bicentennial the following year. The building underwent a large-scale renovation in 1991, and minor improvements took place in 2006 and 2013.

“It’s truly been a pleasure to be part of this experience, being part of this process,” Sutton said regarding the latest upgrade. “And watching our building transform has been an experience I will always value.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)