Timberwood Elementary opens after $13.9 million School Building Authority investment

Timberwood Elementary in Mercer County opened to community remarks and state officials’ praise as local leaders marked completion of a project officials said was supported by a $13,900,000 investment from the state School Building Authority.

At the event, Andy Netche, representing the School Building Authority, said the authority invested $13,900,000 in the project and thanked local leaders and contractors for bringing the school to fruition. “We invested $13,900,000 … this goes to show visions of superintendents … You all just did it,” Netche said.

Leslie Bellman, who spoke at the podium for the district, described the opening as more than a building and credited collaborative funding and fiscal planning for allowing the project to be completed. Bellman said the original bid in February 2023 arrived amid COVID-era inflation and “was almost $10,000,000 over budget,” and that an additional state grant plus the district’s excess levy helped finish the work.

The transcript shows a speaker introduced as Sue Ted Black welcomed students and staff and expressed excitement about what the new facility will offer this school year. Tom Atkins, introduced as the district’s maintenance director, praised the resilience of teachers and students during the transition and thanked the contractor and project manager for their work.

District and state speakers highlighted the role of local fiscal leadership, state grant funding and the School Building Authority’s investment in closing the budget gap and completing Timberwood Elementary. Officials said the facility will serve students in the coming school year.

The event included remarks from community members, authority representatives and district leaders; no formal votes or board actions were recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.