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New Halifax County High School nears turnover; demolition of old building slated for fall abatement
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Summary
Curtis Elswick reported the new Halifax County High School is close to completion with final paving, interior finishes and furniture deliveries scheduled; demolition of the existing high school is planned for fall pending hazmat surveys and permitting.
Curtis Elswick, standing in for Jerry Old Brooks, told the Halifax County School Board the new Halifax County High School is approaching substantial completion and the project is "getting more exciting every day."
Elswick said exterior concrete slabs for the plaza and outdoor dining were poured, fiber connectivity is now in the building, final paving had started, and interior work such as flooring, painting, stage installation and bleacher installation in the competition gym were underway. "The emergency generator has been tested. Everything went fine there," he said. He added elevators remain to be completed so furniture can be moved into upper floors.
Elswick reported owner-direct purchase tax savings remain at $1,380,000 and that pending procurements include furniture, cafeteria appliances and trophy cases. He said demolition planning for the existing Halifax County High School is underway: the district has a proposal in for final hazardous-material surveys and demolition specifications and is preparing erosion- and sediment-control permitting. "Our schedule is to hopefully start that demolition, that abatement, and then the demolition this fall," he said, with final site work expected the following spring.
Key milestone dates Elswick provided included elevator operation by June 20, delivery of CTE equipment and admin furniture between June 23 and June 30, building turnover substantially on July 10, large-scale furniture moves starting July 21, teachers returning Aug. 4, in-house preparation Aug. 14 and school opening Aug. 18. He said cafeteria tables and classroom furniture shipments are scheduled for mid- to late July.
The board discussed site security and rental restrictions: staff recommended no new high-school facility rentals after Jan. 1 because of demolition and site work, and said community facility rental processes will move to an online platform (Operations Hero) to improve scheduling and billing. The board did not take a construction-related vote; Elswick’s report was an informational update and staff will continue procurement and permitting work.
Why it matters: The update gives the board and community a timetable for move-in and for removal of the old high school, identifies remaining procurements and permitting tasks, and notes interim limits on facility rentals during demolition and site preparation.
