Corbin Middle School construction remains on schedule

Work on the new Corbin Middle School is on schedule to open as planned in time for the start of the 2018-19 school year.

At Tuesday’s special called meeting of the Corbin Board of Education, Kevin Cheek with Sherman, Carter, Barnhart Architects and David Jackson with Hacker Brothers Construction, updated the board on the $28.5 million project.

Cheek said the concrete floor structure is being poured in the two-story wing that will house seventh and eighth grades. Roof trusses and joists are being installed and the installation of the metal roof decking will begin within the next month.

Once that is completed, work on the heating and air conditioning system can begin, Cheek explained.

“It has gone extremely smooth,” Cheek said.

Steel work is underway in the media center and the gymnasium.

“The load bearing walls are completed,” Cheek said.

The 26 acres of property had been the site of St. Camillus Academy until 2014.

In September 2014, the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence, who owned the property, reach and agreement to sell the property to the Corbin Board of Education for $1 million.

At the time, Corbin Board of Education Chair Kim Croley said the purchase was made with the goal of using the property as the site for a new middle school.

Work began in March with the demolition of the two existing buildings on the site in preparation for the construction of the 110,000 square foot building.

Original plans called for the building to be approximately 80,000 square feet and to house seventh and eighth grades.

However, as planning on the project continued, the board elected to include the sixth grade as well, citing increasing enrollment, particularly in the lower grades.