Board hears detailed construction updates: John L. Colbert expansion on track; designers present conceptual Ramey junior high plan

Fayetteville Public Schools trustees heard presentations Jan. 23 on two major facilities projects: design-and-construction updates for the John L. Colbert (JLC) Middle School expansion and a schematic-design preview of the new Ramey Junior High project.

Clayton Baden of Lewis Architects and representatives from Ball & Shell reported that the Colbert expansion had completed design development and construction documents and secured Department of Health approval. The team said the Department of Education approval is ready and that they were awaiting a local fire marshal review before turning final drawings to the contractor for pricing. They described additions including a practice gym that will double as a storm shelter, expanded locker rooms, a two-story classroom addition, a 300-meter track and reconfigured athletic and weight-room access. Contractors expect to advertise for pricing and present a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) this spring, with construction mobilization planned for April if approvals and pricing proceed as anticipated.

Architects leading design for the proposed new Ramey Junior High — a team led by Craft & Toll working with Lake Flato Architects (presentation led by Wes Burgess, Blake Plato and Greg Pappe) — gave a schematic design preview for the wooded site off College Avenue. The firms described the site as challenging: about 20 acres, 100% wooded and a roughly 15% slope (about a 150-foot drop across the site). Rather than a single-level layout, the team proposed a compact, stacked building that steps up the slope to preserve tree canopy and reduce retaining walls and long utility runs.

The conceptual plan described a three-level academic block atop a lower-level parking garage, with seventh-grade classrooms at a lower academic level, shared civic spaces (dining, library, community) in the center and eighth-grade classrooms on the top level to take advantage of views. Architects showed options for a mass-timber structure and a masonry base with a lighter cladding above, and outlined site circulation that would bring vehicles in from College Avenue, route buses and parent drop-off to the higher east side and locate staff parking in a tucked lower-level garage (roughly 100 spaces). The design team emphasized sustainability, canopy preservation and outdoor educational spaces.

Project timelines presented to the board put schematic design through April, followed by design development and construction documents, with the goal of pricing and GMP readiness by summer 2026. The firms observed that a full build and occupancy target could be for school year 2028'029, but the district has not committed to a start date; board and staff will continue workshop discussions on timing and financing.

Board members and attendees asked questions about elevator locations, drainage for the football field and track, transportation circulation and exterior materials. Designers said elevators would be centrally located near the main entry and that drainage and underground utilities will be coordinated in detailed civil design, while noting the slope increased construction complexity and cost. The architects also noted choices to limit required tree removal and to seek long-term low-maintenance exterior materials that would weather gracefully.

Superintendent Dr. Mulford and operations staff said they planned to bring cost proposals and a recommended contractor GMP to the board when available. The district will continue public updates as schematic design and permitting advance.