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Committee hears progress updates on fourth high school, Middletown and Jordan Springs; redistricting timeline set

Frederick County School Board Buildings & Grounds Committee · February 3, 2026

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Summary

Staff reported Feb. 2 that construction documents and bidding schedules for the fourth high school are on track to support spring bidding, Middletown bids open Feb. 10 with tentative April 2026 groundbreaking, and Jordan Springs is under construction; WXY Consulting will lead a redistricting process with parent representation and recommendations expected in about a year.

Committee staff gave a consolidated briefing Feb. 2 on three major capital projects and on the division's redistricting timeline.

Mister Shepherd told the committee the fourth high school has reached 65% construction documents and staff expect to receive 100% construction documents for internal review on Feb. 13, with final 100% documents expected in early March to support bidding. The RFQ for the project was advertised Jan. 23; statements of qualification are due Feb. 23. Shepherd said staff hope to bring a recommended bidder to the full board by May 19, contingent on bids aligning with the division’s budget.

On Middletown, Shepherd said the division prequalified six bidders; the IFB was advertised Jan. 7, a pre‑bid site visit was held and bids are scheduled to be opened Feb. 10. Staff tentatively expect to break ground in April 2026, depending on bid outcomes. At Jordan Springs, Shepherd said construction is underway after a recent groundbreaking: crews are pouring footers, installing underground mechanical, electrical and plumbing lines, and preparing masonry foundations and steel deliveries in the coming weeks. Weather caused minor interruptions but staff said the contractor, Nielsen, has maintained progress.

Shepherd also described the redistricting process: the division contracted WXY Consulting and will convene an eight‑member division staff committee plus 12 parent members (four per high‑school cluster). The schedule calls for five committee meetings and two public information sessions; staff said elementary boundary changes would take effect in 2027 and middle/high school boundary changes in 2029 to align with the planned opening of the fourth high school.

Why it matters: These schedules set near‑term deadlines for bidding and construction and will shape attendance boundaries that affect students and families in multiple school clusters.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with the advertised bid and RFQ schedules and hold public redistricting sessions; project bids and any material budget changes will be returned to the full board for approval.