New Redding Middle School nears completion; ribbon cutting set for Aug. 27

The Appoquinimink School District told its board Aug. 12 that construction on the new middle school is substantially complete and that a public ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 5:45 p.m.

Mister Hopkins, the district’s construction representative, said the school’s front entrance, auditorium overflow area and many classroom wings are finished and that crews will begin paving the back parking lot “Monday of next week” to make the site fully functional. He described ongoing stormwater work, a bio-media mixture to cap stone-filled areas and plans for student drop-off, bus routing and separate walker entrances to keep cars and buses separated.

“Everything’s functional. We have CO for everything, which you need the one more step to make sure the students come in,” Hopkins said. He added that sidewalks, irrigation and sod installation are scheduled to follow paving.

Board members approved related change orders during the meeting; Hopkins noted two items of additional work — a $37,000 stormwater item and roughly $70,000 in light-fixture clarifications — and the board confirmed the project remains on budget and on schedule.

The board invited the public to the ribbon cutting on Aug. 27 and said more details will be posted on district channels. The district also plans to stream board events on YouTube for community members who cannot attend in person.