Ribbon cutting marks official opening of new Frederick Douglass High School

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- Believe it or not, it’s already time for some students in the Bluegrass to head back to school.

For some students, that means a brand new building.

Hundreds of people packed the auditorium of Frederick Douglass High School this morning to celebrate the official ribbon cutting for Lexington’s sixth high school.

A variety of community leaders, including Lexington mayor Jim Gray and a group of alumni from Lexington’s original Frederick Douglass High School joined together to mark the historic occasion.

Not only did local scholars from past and present join to celebrate the future, but to remember the significant history that the brand new high school symbolizes.

“This is not just a moment in time for Fayette County, this marks a moment in history,” said Fayette County Schools Superintendent, Manny Caulk.

Honored guests included alumni from Lexington’s original Frederick Douglass High School, which was segregated until its closure in the 1960s, and they say they are happy to have the Douglass name back in Fayette County.

“It feels so great, and I feel so good. Words just can’t be put to how I really feel, this is something that I never thought would happen, that I dreamed of happening, and I think that it’ll be one of the moments that I remember for the rest of my life,” said Robert Robinson, an alum of the original Frederick Douglass High School.

The new state-of-the-art school will be Lexington’s sixth high school, something Mayor Jim Gray says shows the city’s progress.

“What we know is that a great school system adds to our economy; it adds to opportunity, it adds to economic development, jobs, opportunities for jobs,” said Mayor Gray.

Students are set to walk through the front doors of the new school on August 16, the first day of class for Fayette County.

However, district officials say that any member of the public who wants to tour the new facility, can do so, by calling the school district and scheduling an appointment.