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New Halifax County high school construction close to shell stage; administrators outline moving, HVAC and field drainage work
Summary
Construction managers updated the board on the new high school: temporary heat and window installation are in place, permanent power and rooftop units are imminent, interior slabs and auditorium pours are complete, and contractors will address muddy areas and a drainage problem on the baseball field created during construction.
Construction and operations staff reported progress this month on Halifax County—s new high school, describing exterior and interior work nearing completion while flagging site drainage and access issues that county staff said they will correct before spring athletics.
Mister Murasco and Mister Barracken (construction leads) told the board temporary heating is in place and window installation and metal panel siding are progressing. "We're looking at getting permanent power within the next two weeks," Barracken said, and contractors were finishing ductwork, insulation prep and rooftop units (RTUs). Kitchen equipment—including the walk-in cooler and freezer—has been installed and the main kitchen hood and electrical feeders are being completed prior to final inspection.
Interior concrete work is largely finished: auditorium slabs, tiered seating and stage pours are complete and the contractor is preparing to install the auditorium—s rigging (battens and curtain systems), AV systems, and seating. Barracken said stair towers and academic-wing stairs are being installed and the glass curtain wall will be fitted later in the month.
Board members raised site issues. A board member pointed out a low area on the driveway that collects standing water; staff said a civil engineer has been engaged and grading and site corrections will be scheduled once temperatures permit concrete work. On the baseball field, construction stockpiles of soil have created a persistent wet area in right field; staff said the contractor has been engaged to remove stockpiled soil, install a French drain (corrugated pipe with stone) and regrade the site, and that the contractor has agreed to cover correction costs.
Staff described plans for controlled access and card-swipe entries in the new building, with programmable proximity cards and a limited number of mortise master keys for emergency access. The project manager said furniture and cafeteria procurement meetings are scheduled and moving logistics for faculty will be coordinated with designated boxes and labeled staging locations so teachers know where their belongings will be placed on day one.
No new contract awards or additional construction scope were approved during the meeting; staff presented the update for the board's information and to invite questions about site corrections and final commissioning.
