Martin County Schools board reviews schematic design for new high school; parking and noise cited as key concerns

Martin County Schools board members heard a schematic-design presentation for a replacement Martin County High School and pressed the design team on parking, student access and noise during construction.

John Baraff of Daniels and Daniels opened the presentation and described the project’s three design phases — schematic design, design development and construction documentation — before turning the briefing over to Randy Baker of Pinnacle Architecture. "This schematic design... was a little challenging," Baker said, adding that site constraints such as an existing track and wetlands shaped the proposed building footprint.

Baker presented site plans that he said would add an estimated 75 to 100 parking spaces and include a 60–70-foot-wide drive to preserve access to the football field and allow visiting-team and bus staging. He described an L-shaped two-story classroom wing and a competition gym with eaves roughly 40–42 feet high; Baker contrasted the new gym’s profile with the existing gym, which he said peaks at about 47–48 feet.

The team proposed keeping and renovating the current cafeteria and kitchen as a culinary-arts space rather than demolishing that portion of the existing building. Baker said enclosed connectors would tie new and existing facilities together and that access control could isolate gym activities from the rest of the school during events.

During questions, a committee member asked how students who drive would reach the building if new construction sits between the parking area and the current school. The presenters said staff were exploring a temporary reception and secured entry at a low-level door near the bus drop-off and that the project team was using an estimate of about 50 to 75 student-driven cars for planning. "That way, we'll be able to control who's coming in the building and out," Baraff said, describing door controls and a staffed temporary office during construction.

A board member raised concerns about construction noise from building so close to occupied spaces. Baker acknowledged the concern and pointed to other multi-story school projects the firm was constructing, saying initial disruptions are typical but the campus adapts after the first week.

Baraff said next steps include refining the facade and coordinating with local authorities and the fire marshal to ensure first-responder access and campus safety. He told the board that an amendment to the agreement will be presented at the upcoming business meeting for formal consideration.

No formal board action on the design was taken during the work session; the work session concluded and the board adjourned to its business meeting.