Board hears bond project updates: new science wing occupied at West Carteret; East Carteret labs near completion

Board members heard status updates on bond-funded construction at West Carteret High School and East Carteret High School during the Sept. 2 Carteret County Public Schools board meeting.

A speaker identified as a project representative said West Carteret’s new science wing is occupied, with only punch-list touch-ups remaining. “The new science wing is occupied. Punch list items continue in that building, and they will continue for a while with touch ups,” the representative said. The speaker also reported that a new hood was installed in the West Carteret kitchen and that the culinary lab is nearly complete pending a health inspection.

Work at West Carteret also included exterior grading cleanup and paving a new fire lane behind the school. The representative said an auditorium renovation will start around December and continue through February to complete the campus work.

At East Carteret, the culinary lab likewise awaits a health inspection and the art room will soon receive drywall so crews can install a new ceiling grid and tile; that project is set to be completed around October, the update said.

The board’s update noted WIMCO is a construction partner and named “Mr. Hite” as a person who has worked on the projects. No votes or formal actions were taken on the bond updates; the segment was informational.

Superintendent remarks earlier in the meeting noted the first week of school had gone smoothly overall and that staff were still ironing out carpool lines and bus routes — routine start-of-year adjustments, the superintendent said. The superintendent reminded the public of a few September observances and confirmed the next regular board meeting will be Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.

The board did not discuss new funding or schedule changes for the bond projects at the meeting.