Board hears updates on South Middle renovation, high school culinary lab

At the Jan. 20 meeting the Henderson County Board of Education received multi-site construction updates from Suzanne Erwin and district staff.

Erwin said the South Middle School renovation is being completed in phases (areas labeled A1–B3), with ceiling demolition finished in several zones, corridor ductwork about 70% complete in identified areas, and preparations underway for geothermal well-field drilling with mobilization planned for next week. ‘‘There are 2 separate areas at South Middle School that will be drilled for the geothermal well field… the driller is planning on mobilizing next week,’’ she said.

At Henderson County High School, Erwin reported ARC Construction has mobilized, ceiling and floor demo are complete in the culinary lab, underslab plumbing has been trenched and roughed in, electrical demo and rough-in have started, and measurements are underway for steel supports that will carry major commercial hoods. Erwin said asphalt repairs tied to the project are scheduled once students are out for summer, and the culinary lab completion is planned for mid-summer.

A pay application for the culinary lab (covering mobilization, electrical work and demolition) was presented and described as having been reviewed by Ross Turner Architects and district consultants, who found it reasonable. The board received the update and discussed schedule expectations and next steps for roofing, HVAC penetrations and making up approximately 30 days of weather-related delays at other sites.

No formal vote on the projects’ scope was taken at this meeting beyond the routine presentation of the pay application for board consideration.