Chesterfield County Public Schools celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of the new Bensley Elementary School with a topping-off ceremony. This tradition marks the placement of the final structural beam in a building’s construction.
“As we watch that final beam lifted into place, it will be a community vision becoming real,” said School Board Chair Ann Coker. “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, signed by Bensley students, staff, county, and school leaders, was placed atop the two-story building. It featured symbols such as an evergreen tree for good luck and growth, a broom symbolizing a “clean sweep” with no loss of life during construction, and an American flag representing patriotism and the efforts of the construction crew.
“Today is a celebration not just of construction progress, but of community investment,” stated Superintendent Dr. John Murray. “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 school is part of a broader community facilities plan enabled by a 2022 bond referendum approved by Chesterfield County voters. The $52 million project is funded through Virginia Public School Authority bonds and aims to nearly double the school’s capacity from 575 to 1,000 students while offering a modern learning environment suited for contemporary education needs.
Bensley’s design follows Chesterfield’s elementary school prototype with input from school staff and families on key features such as exterior colors. Construction is scheduled to finish in time for the 2026-27 school year.
Chesterfield County Public Schools is central Virginia’s largest school system with over 64,000 students across 67 schools.
