Committee hears bond, middle‑school design and donation planning updates

Union County Public Schools facilities staff used the March 26 Facilities Committee meeting to update members on bond construction progress, preliminary designs for East Union Middle School and an early donation request that could expand a practice field next to the Weddington Bridal School.

"The bond update just shows you kind of a snapshot of where we are with East Elementary and Forest Hills High School," said Miss Veil, facilities/bond program staff, adding that work has moved into interior finishes and encouraging committee members to visit the sites. "You'll see that we're becoming very focused on interior finishes. So the buildings are really coming along, and they're they're beautiful. If you have the opportunity, please, schedule some time to go out there and see what's going on."

Nut graf: These informational items do not require committee approval but set design and construction expectations and flag potential future actions the board may consider.

East Union Middle School design

Miss Veil walked the committee through a preliminary floor plan and supplemental materials that emphasize an "ag tech" focus, including a pocket garden and "harvester's corner," and interior adjustments to unify cafeteria and classroom spaces. "Some of these supplemental sheets talk about how we tied in the pocket garden or harvesters corner," she said, and staff said further interior finish details will follow as design progresses.

Weddington Bridal donation / building and grounds modification

Mister McManus, facilities department staff, briefed the committee on an early‑stage request from Weddington Bridal School to expand its field into adjacent gravel parking and add a full‑size practice area for lacrosse and soccer. McManus said staff do not object at the staff level and that no formal plans or documents were attached to the committee packet because the request is in its infancy. "There is not a document. They don't have any plans or anything yet. It's just in its infancy just to make sure that you all are aware," he said.

Meeting logistics

Staff told the committee that further details about interior finishes, signage compensation related to DOT projects, and formal donation paperwork will be provided as those items develop. The committee's next Facilities Committee meeting was set for April 30 at 9 a.m., and the committee adjourned after recording the motion to adjourn.

Ending: The committee did not take action on the informational items; staff will return to the committee or the full board with formal proposals and documents when they are ready.