District schedules Howard walk-through before demolition; construction continues at Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Eastlake

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Orangeburg County School District staff on May 13 updated the Board of Trustees on several capital projects, including plans to allow a community walk-through of Howard Middle School on May 28 before demolition and progress at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and Eastlake Elementary School.

Superintendent Dr. Foster told the board that the district arranged a community walk-through of Howard Middle School from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 28 as a final opportunity for former students and community members to visit the building before demolition. “The May 28 from 6 to 8, you’ll be hearing more about that. And that was a request of individuals and from the community, to do that in recognition of, of what Wilkerson represented,” Foster said.

Facilities staff described ongoing work at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School: steel joist decking installation, masonry for the gym’s second floor, framing for media-center stairs, field-house masonry, and road base and curbs near athletic fields. At Eastlake Elementary, staff said the parking lot and driveway formation continued and the project remains on schedule. For Howard, staff said site-preparation work will focus first around the football field and basketball courts, HVAC-unit removal would begin around Memorial Day, and teacher materials would be relocated starting in May.

Staff also addressed salvageable materials from schools the district is closing. Facilities staff said reusable furniture, technology and other items are being transferred first to other district schools that can use them; materials that cannot be repurposed at other schools will be handled during demolition.

The board was told project teams will provide a comprehensive video update at a future meeting and that the district is ready to proceed with the Howard demolition after the community walk-through.