Board reviews Suncrest Middle School schematic: 3‑story design, auditorium added; SBA funding limits noted
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Summary
Architects presented a three‑story Suncrest Middle School planned for about 499 students on 16.9 acres, with a multi‑level media center, auditorium (~200 seats), athletic fields, and a proposed summer 2026 groundbreaking for an August 2028 opening; board raised questions on bathrooms, auditorium/gym sizing and funding limits under the School Building Authority formula.
Monongalia County School leaders and Schreiber Architects outlined the schematic design for the new Suncrest Middle School at the Feb. 10 board meeting, describing the planned site, program and an accelerated schedule.
"We've been retained for the design services of the new Suncrest Middle School," Greg Martin, design lead, said, then walked the board through an aerial and floor‑plan concept that places a three‑story, self‑contained building on roughly 16.9 acres near Research Park Drive. The design shows administration and guidance near the main entrance, an academic core, a multi‑level media center, fine‑arts spaces, a full‑size middle‑school gymnasium, and a physical education field. Martin said the team is designing for a program enrollment of about 499 students and anticipates more than 100 parking spaces.
The plan includes a 200‑seat auditorium by special request from administrators and teachers; Martin noted the auditorium is "above and beyond" typical middle‑school funding from the School Building Authority (SBA). He said the district has already exceeded SBA square‑footage funding for the base design and that any increase in auditorium or gym size would add cost and could exceed SBA limits.
Board members and members of the public questioned bathroom design, safety and supervision after the architect described enclosed stall doors and sink/wash areas that create sightlines for staff. Martin said the stalls will be fully enclosed but that there will be visibility into the washing station area; he advised the board that interior details are schematic and can be explored further in design development.
Other design features discussed included a secured vestibule and a dedicated clinic, a resource Level‑3 room adjacent to administration, ADA accessibility, separate bus and parent drop‑off loops, and an option for later athletic site development. The design team said they plan to submit the documents to the School Building Authority for review and hope to break ground in summer 2026 for an opening targeted for August 2028 after approximately two years of construction.
Board members thanked the architects and administration; several said they support the auditorium addition despite SBA funding constraints and asked staff to continue looking at options that balance program needs and funding limits.