Transylvania County Schools receive construction and capital-projects update; work on Brevard and Rosman sites to continue into fall

Transylvania County School and county project staff told the Board of Education that work continues on multiple school capital projects, with some schedules pushed into the fall and crews taking extra steps to separate construction zones from student activity.

The update covered the Brevard Area Scope Number 1 (the Brevard Old Jail site), Brevard High School scope number 2 (including an EC wing roof replacement), Rosman-area scopes (Old Gym and retaining wall), and a set of Brevard-area projects (Davis River School, Piscoe/Forest/other elementary and middle school work). Project managers said 3D scanning is complete at all schools, predesigned steps for budget refinement are under way, and geotechnical investigations at Rosman are expected in early October.

Why it matters: the projects include emergency repairs (the EC wing roof at Brevard High School was advanced under emergency statutes) and work at occupied campuses; board members pressed for clarity about safety signage, parking impacts and public access as classes resume.

Project status and schedule details Project staff said the Brevard Old Jail wood decking and weather barrier work should be finished in the next few days and that TPO roofing will follow; expected completion for that scope was described as November, with rainy weather cited as a recent delay. The EC wing roof replacement at Brevard High School went to pre-construction Aug. 11 under emergency-authority work.

At Rosman High School project work includes ground-penetrating radar, interior borings and other site assessments; the architect estimated geotechnical-report completion in early October. Staff said some Rosman-area active tanks (above-ground or in use) will be done in 2026 in coordination with the Rosman-area scope, while unused underground storage-tank work in the Brevard area is complete. A temporary above-ground tank remains in place for Rosman until replacement components arrive.

Safety, parking and student access Project managers told the board that perimeter fencing and signage are required and that contractors are expected to close gates at the end of the day. Board members raised photographs that did not clearly show signage at some gates and asked whether contractors had implemented PDI (preconstruction) safety-plan requirements and contractor-implemented controls. Staff said safety plans are reviewed by the architect, rely on contractor implementation, and that the project team continues to observe and flag concerns.

Construction laydown areas have reduced available parking: staff estimated roughly 20 spaces lost at one Brevard laydown area. The board emphasized strict separation between work zones and school circulation, and staff described biweekly progress meetings and preplanning to coordinate deliveries and equipment around student schedules.

Athletics, playgrounds and punch lists The Rosman High School football field was described as playable and suitable for practice, but staff said punch-list items remained; a subcontractor-caused issue with electric work was repaired quickly. The Rosman Elementary playground was delayed by weather and permitting by a few weeks; staff noted some playground equipment is custom-ordered, which affects lead time. The project team said they will continue follow-up inspections after convocation and before opening to students.

Next steps The Education Capital Project subcommittee will meet Aug. 27 to review a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) request for qualifications; CMAR contracts were anticipated in September, and staff said the CMAR will work with architects to confirm budgets and potential scope adjustments.

Board questions highlighted a desire for clearer, dated progress comparisons in monthly reports and for public availability of those reports beyond meeting presentations.