Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Glenn Elementary renovation on track for teacher occupancy; construction continues in fall
Summary
Project manager and district operations leaders told the board the multi-phase Glenn Elementary renovation will allow teachers to occupy new classrooms the week before school starts, with additional construction (gymatorium, front addition, cafeteria) continuing this fall and next summer.
Durham Public Schools staff and project manager Scott McEntee of 35 North told the board Thursday that the multi-phase renovation of Glenn Elementary has reached sufficient completion for teachers to occupy much of the building ahead of the school year. McEntee said the work includes a new two-story addition of roughly 30,000 square feet and an additional 30,000 square feet of interior renovations in two wings that were completed on an accelerated schedule. He said a recent fire marshal walk-through and follow-up activities put the project on a path to obtain the final certificate of occupancy next week and allow teachers to return to classrooms on Monday. Principals and staff will use a move-management plan and a helpline the district set up to support teachers during one planned classroom move this fall when a wing comes online and another wing is completed. District Chief Operating Officer Ken Barnes and McEntee said the site will still have active construction and a construction trailer on the grounds, but crews will tidy visible areas and address curb appeal and the marquee where possible before families arrive. McEntee described additional phases of the project: an October start for a front addition and a rear gymatorium, followed by a cafeteria interior renovation targeted for the next summer during the ten-week window when students are out of the building. Board members asked whether teachers would have to move classrooms mid-year; McEntee and Barnes said there will be at least one coordinated move and that facilities and central staff will assist teachers and supply volunteers when possible. The district also confirmed to the board that no change orders exceeding the board's delegated threshold (authority previously given to the superintendent for certain change orders) were required between the June 26 board meeting and this update. The item was presented as information for the board and the community; no formal action was taken.
