Manassas school board: Jenny Dean project on schedule; Osborne connector near completion

Manassas City Public Schools staff told the board on Oct. 28 that construction on the new Jenny Dean Elementary School remains on schedule and on budget and that the Osborne High School connector is nearing completion.

"The product remains on schedule and on budget," said Mister Gafeller, the project presenter, as he summarized September progress on Jenny Dean. He reported that contractor Shockey and Sons continues to staff the site with approximately 100 workers daily. Work in September advanced site grading, installation of the underground stormwater retention system and environmental inspections were completed "with no deficiencies." Inside the building the roof joists and decking are in place in key areas and masonry and mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-ins are progressing.

Gafeller said the project team has modified sequencing so trades can work with fewer interruptions and that the goal is to enclose the building before winter to allow interior work to proceed. He also described planned outdoor-learning elements designed to connect directly to Virginia Standards of Learning, including a cistern that collects rainwater and a retention pond where teachers can demonstrate the water cycle.

On the Osborne campus, Gafeller reported that RRMM Architects designed the connector and RJ Crowley is the contractor. The administrative notice to proceed was issued in April 2025 and site mobilization began in May. "Substantial completion [is] anticipated Nov. 10," he said, and final completion is scheduled for December, though staff said they hope to finish earlier. The connector will create an enclosed route between the main building and the Johnson Learning Center and will add small offices and flexible spaces for student services and staff collaboration.

Board members praised the projects for improving safety and minimizing disruption to learning. Vice Chair Spall and others noted attention to details such as matching brickwork and wider corridors; trustees also asked about visibility and student safety during construction and were told the sites are fenced and visible from drop-off points.

The board received the updates; no formal vote was required on the construction reports. The projects and the contractors mentioned in the presentation are RRMM Architects, RJ Crowley, and Shockey and Sons.