The architect presents designs for school bond projects; consultant announces his retirement | News

BEAUFORT — The architect and consultant for classroom additions and renovations included in a $42 million school bond referendum approved in November 2020 presented preliminary designs for five projects Tuesday at the County School Board meeting in Carteret.

The council met at the school system’s central office on Safrit Drive in Beaufort.

Ahead of architect Jimmy Hite’s pitch with Hite Associates PC of Greenville, school system bond construction consultant Keith Marready announced he would retire on Friday, Dec. 31.

Mr Marready, 67, who has overseen major bond and construction projects for the system for 16 years, said it was a difficult decision but felt it was the right time for him and his family. The school board contracted with him last year to direct the multiple upgrades, renovations and additions of facilities to be paid for with the bonds.

“I appreciate the time I spent working with all of you and former board members,” he said. “I wish nothing but the best for this program. Don’t let it falter and don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.

John McLean, Board Member, thanked Mr. Marready for his years of service.

“Your relationship with our county commissioners and our contractors and your work ethic is second to none,” Mr McLean said. “We cannot thank you enough for what you have done for our school system. »

Following the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson said school officials were interviewing candidates to replace Mr. Marready.

“I hope to be able to recommend someone to the school board at the January meeting,” he said.

As for the projects reviewed on Tuesday, Marready said the projects were all on track for design completion.

Deputy Superintendent Richard Paylor added that other projects covered by the bond are already underway, including the replacement of doors at several schools.

“The doors are complete at Harkers Island Elementary School,” Mr. Paylor said. “We are waiting over two doors to be full at Atlantic Elementary. We are about 40% full in West Carteret.

The main projects included in the bond involve the construction of auxiliary gymnasiums/shelters at the three public high schools and White Oak Elementary School. The gymnasiums will serve as emergency shelters in the event of hurricanes and other disasters.

“We had people from EMS heavily involved in the design of the shelter,” Mr. Marready said.

He added that plans for a gymnasium/shelter and an auditorium addition to East Carteret High School are complete.

“The expected bid opening is the first week of January,” Mr Marready said.

The project involves the construction of an estimated 2,000 square foot auditorium addition at the southwest end of the existing facility. It will include a choir/classroom, changing rooms, storage areas and toilets.

The ECHS will also receive an auxiliary gymnasium/shelter of approximately 10,000 square feet which will be equipped with a generator and a food court to be used as an emergency shelter. There will also be changing rooms. The gymnasium will be located near the soccer field.

The estimated cost of the ECHS additions is $4 million, according to Marready. According to him, if all goes well, work could start at the end of February.

Tenders for an approximately 8,000 square foot gymnasium/shelter at WOES are expected to go out in February. The gymnasium will replace the existing facility. The new multipurpose gymnasium will include a stage, a sports floor, a service kitchen, work rooms for teachers and toilets. It will also be equipped with a generator. The estimated cost of the project is $2 million.

Tenders for the construction of a gymnasium/shelter and the addition of a classroom at Croatan Secondary School are scheduled for April. The school will receive a gymnasium/refuge similar to that of the ECHS. It will be located behind the existing gymnasium.

The CHS classroom addition, which will be placed where the current staff parking lot is, will include 12 classrooms, two science labs, several resource rooms, work rooms and washrooms. The approximate cost of CHS projects is $5.5 million, according to Marready.

Tenders for a gymnasium/shelter, music room, locker rooms, and science/ROTC classrooms at West Carteret High School are expected to be ready in May. The gymnasium/refuge will be similar to those of other high schools. The facility will be close to the soccer field. The science/ROTC addition will include six rooms and labs. It will be attached to the existing ROTC zone.

The music room will be built at the south end of the school where the workshop is located. The school will also benefit from an extension and renovations to the locker rooms. The estimated cost of all WCHS projects is $6.5 million.

Bids for the addition of a classroom and dining hall at Broad Creek Middle School are expected to be announced in June. The school will receive approximately 22,000 square feet and 16 additional classrooms behind the gymnasium. In addition, the school will receive an additional dining hall which will be located at the front of the existing dining hall.

Additionally, Marready said BCMS will receive a new access road designed to eliminate traffic from Highway 24 when parents drop off and pick up students. The road will span a street on the west side of the school. The road will run behind and around the school, ending in the drop-off parking area.

The approximate cost of the BCMS classroom and road addition is $3.8 million, with the dining hall addition estimated at $500,000.

Contact Cheryl Burke at 252-726-7081, ext. 255; email [email protected]; or follow on Twitter @cherylccnt.