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Board reviews Irmo High redesign including student incubator as trustees press for cost details on east wing options
Summary
Architects presented concept plans to convert Irmo High School's cafeteria area into a student business incubator while partially demolishing the east wing for new parking; trustees pressed administration for refurbishment cost estimates and asked which bond funds would pay for the work.
Architects from LS3P presented concept drawings to the Lexington County School District 5 board on May 4 that would convert part of Irmo High School's renovated cafeteria into a student business incubator with maker space, a retail area for student goods, podcasting and recording facilities and a culinary lab that would reuse existing kitchen equipment.
The presentation, introduced by interim chief of operations Alan Knots, described a plan that includes partial demolition of the east wing to create parking and a redesigned procession into athletic spaces. "The concept does include a partial demolition of the east wing building that would be replaced by new parking lot," the architect said while walking trustees through site renderings.
Why it matters: trustees and community members raised concerns about which parts of the east wing will remain, how the district will use the retained space, and whether the cost to refurbish the remaining wing might exceed the cost to rebuild it. Those questions affect whether the district retains swing space for programs like adult education and the freshman academy or demolishes the wing entirely.
During board discussion trustees asked several detailed questions about the bus loop, parking, sequencing and the cost implications of demolition versus refurbishment. "Do we have an estimate on what that portion of it will cost to refurbish?" one trustee asked. Administrators said they did not have refurbish estimates available at the meeting and agreed to provide those figures later.
Administration said some work is covered by the district's current bond referendum allocations, but cautioned that demolishing large sections of the east wing would permanently remove square footage the district might need for future growth. "If we demo that and we need space again, we will not be able to get that square footage back for any price," a district official said.
Trustees also sought clarity on approvals. The administration said the presentation represented a recommendation and that the board would have to approve any contract once design and construction documents are complete. Several trustees asked for a clearer breakdown of which bond line items would fund specific elements and for explicit refurbishment cost estimates before awarding contracts.
What happens next: administrators will supply trustees with more detailed cost estimates, clarify which bond referendum line items apply and return to the board with drawings and contract documents before any demolition or major construction proceeds.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are members of Lexington County School District 5's board or district staff. Quotes and details are drawn from the May 4 board meeting presentation and Q&A.
