This rendering of the ongoing remodeling/enlargement project at Carroll County High School was part of an update given to school board members at their February 8 meeting. Bids for the project are expected back by March 9. It is being financed by Federal funding.

Submitted photo | Carroll County Public Schools

The Carroll County School Board was given an overview at its February 8 meeting of work remodeling and enlarging Carroll County High School by Architect Yancey Powers of WM2A and the division’s building committee.

Finance Director/Board Clerk Tammy Quesenberry told the board bids for the project are expected back by March 9. Powers said five contractors had reached out to him and requested plans.

“That’s good that we are already getting some response. We are essentially building a new competition gym and four classrooms in the old senior parking lot,” said Powers. “We will be building an enclosed connecting corridor which will connect the driver’s ed building to the back side of the auditorium. Students will be able to come in at the driver’s ed building and walk all the way to the school without having to step outside.”

He said initial construction would not make students walk any further now than they had in the past and said senior parking lost to construction would be offset by parking moved to other locations on campus, no simple feat given supply chain disruptions in building materials caused by the pandemic.

“Our primary goal was to get the gymnasium and classroom spaces ready. We’ve broken this into alternates so if this come in we have funds to do this, and if this comes in we can do that,” said Powers. “The original RFP (Request For Proposal) called for new bleachers and stadium lights…we’re not saying that can’t happen. We’re saying we need to concentrate, to focus on the stuff we have now with the funds we have right now.”

Carroll County Public Schools received application approval from the Virginia Department of Education to utilize a portion of the ESSER III funds to remodel and enlarge Carroll County High School due to the need to prevent current viral exposures and prepare for any future viral transmission of diseases.

Construction issues addressed include:

• The addition of an auxiliary/standard gym with locker rooms and separate changing facilities including HVAC to allow for the social distancing of physical education classes and indoor athletic team practices.

• The addition of four classrooms and a multi-purpose room as well as the renovation of an existing library/media classroom including HVAC upgrades to accommodate social distancing and pandemic mitigation strategies.

• The renovation of the auditorium and band classroom to replace carpeting, upgrade seating to auditorium seating with desk capabilities, and make any HVAC and electrical upgrades to improve indoor air quality.

• The addition of single-stall bathroom facilities throughout the proposed building including the addition of a handicap accessible ramp to make those same facilities accessible at the auditorium, and gymnasium to allow for mitigation and social distancing. (This will result in more bathrooms than are currently in the school).

Federal ESSER III funds from Round 3 of the American Recovery Act will be utilized for the project. The proposed competition gym will allow two games to be played in separate areas.

“Most of the materials we will be using are pretty standard…nothing extravagant. We’re trying to keep this on budget as much as possible,” said Powers.

Board Member “Bob” Martin noted that the improvements will not only benefit sports but programs such as chorus and band.

David Broyles may be reached at 276-779-4013 or on Twitter@CarrollNewsDave

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Originally Appeared Here