At the official inauguration of the school extension building at Leibniz-Gymnasium in St. Ingbert, to which the Saarpfalz district had invited, some facts were brought up again. At Leibniz-Gymnasium, there was an additional need for classrooms and differentiation rooms, partly due to the introduction of G9. The nearby former Schillerschule was able to provide this space requirement. In spring 2022, Frederic Lafontaine from the project company GSS GmbH took over the building in hereditary lease from the city of St. Ingbert. The core renovation of the two school buildings (main and annex) began in summer 2022 in coordination with the Technical Real Estate Management of the Saarpfalz district. Since September of this year, they have been rented out as an extension for Leibniz-Gymnasium by GSS GmbH to the Saarpfalz district.
“We are incredibly happy with the result; it is truly a model school. Everyone is welcome to see for themselves that the students of Leibniz-Gymnasium are well cared for here,” said headmaster Erik Brill in his welcome speech at the very beginning of the event.
District Administrator Dr. Theophil Gallo also warmly welcomed all those present. “It was no different in my school days; schools have always struggled with a lack of space. Since the Saarpfalz district took over the schools from the state—which also applies to my predecessor Clemens Lindemann—we have been working to reduce renovation backlogs and create new rooms. Fundamentally, we need more money for this. Nevertheless, with this extension, we are once again moving a step closer to meeting the required standards, and we can be proud of that,” explained the district administrator. He further thanked Frederic Lafontaine and all employees of the property management under department head Hans-Peter Engel, section leader Jürgen Leroux, and architect Tina Muskalla for the excellent execution and support of the project. Of course, his thanks also go to the city of St. Ingbert.
The two building sections now provide space for 260 students. Frederic Lafontaine elaborated on the facilities and pointed out that great importance had been placed on involving regional companies and products, as well as on using sustainable materials. The "Green Classroom" outdoors, featuring seating made of limestone blocks, became a highlight for the guests during the subsequent tour. Overall, the outdoor area with its trees presented itself as very inviting.
Education Minister Christine Streichert-Clivot was also convinced of this: "When we invest in modern and well-equipped schools, we are also investing in the future of our children and young people. This enables contemporary teaching, creates a pleasant learning environment, and supports the social and emotional development of students. Good teaching and good pedagogy are the cornerstones of our education system."
That after 14 months the buildings and the outdoor area were ready for occupancy was widely praised.
„We had to find a quick solution. Together with the school, the district, and the investor, we found this solution: With the rapid reactivation of the Schiller School, we quickly provided space and used the Schiller School sustainably,“ said St. Ingbert’s mayor, Prof. Ulli Meyer, during the celebration. The Deputy Mayor for Sustainable Urban Development, Markus Schmitt, added: „The completion of the Schiller School shows that we can combine speed, efficiency, and sustainability in St. Ingbert. The key to sustainable urban development is the reactivation of buildings, whenever possible, to reduce CO₂ emissions from concrete production.”
Another special feature was finally to be admired: the six-meter-wide painting "Profession and Family" by the painter Fritz Berberich (1909 – 1990) from 1960, which he created for the teachers' lounge after the opening of the Schiller School, was able to be preserved on site.
