New Hoke County high school 'drying in'; completion target moves to April–May with contingencies intact
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Summary
A monthly construction update reported the new high school is 'dried in' and progressing; weather and a prior asbestos waterline issue have pushed substantial completion to the April–May window, with an occupancy phase targeted June 8–July 20 and approximately $538,000 remaining in contingency funds.
The Hoke County Board of Education received a detailed construction update Dec. 9 on the district’s new high school.
Project representative Jerk Stone told the board the building is "dried in" — the exterior panels and glass entry are being installed and interior framing, lighting and mechanical work are progressing. He said the project team is targeting April–May for substantial completion (meaning the building is usable for instruction) and planning an occupancy window from June 8 to July 20 for phase‑2 site work including demolition and tennis‑court construction.
Stone said weather delays and earlier work to replace an asbestos‑lined waterline contributed to schedule impacts, but the construction team has been working to recover time. On the budget, Stone reported contractors are a little over 66% paid under the guaranteed maximum price contract, project contingencies have been used (almost 70% of contractor contingency and more than 100% of design contingency used), and the owner contingency currently shows approximately $538,000 remaining. He described that as a comfortable position going into demolition and abatement work.
Board members asked about scheduling a site tour for the board before furniture delivery; Stone recommended scheduling a tour in January or early as calendar permits. The board also discussed potential uses for remaining contingency funds once punch list items and demolition-phase costs are firmed up.
Why it matters: The timetable and remaining contingency funding will determine whether the district can occupy the new facility on schedule and how much funding will be available for additional high‑school improvements once construction proceeds to phase 2.
What’s next: Staff will coordinate a board tour before furniture delivery, and the project team will continue to track schedule recovery and contingency use as demolition approaches.
