New CMS should be ready to open in August

The new Corbin Middle School is on track to be open when students return to class in August, but the addition to Corbin Primary and renovations to the current middle school means third, fourth and fifth grades will remain at the elementary and intermediate schools throughout next school year.

Superintendent Dave Cox said construction at the new middle school is approximately one month from completion with a final coat of blacktop to be applied to the parking lot, and the commissioning agent still needing to complete the final checks on the HVAC, mechanical and electrical systems.

However, the last of the furniture was delivered Tuesday and the classrooms are ready for the teachers to begin organizing.

Officials said Tuesday that moving day is scheduled for June 11.

Cox said plans had originally called for having the new classroom pod at Corbin Primary completed by November.

Once completed, the addition would house the third grade. The fourth grade would be moved to the intermediate school in the space vacated by the sixth grade, which moves to the new middle school along with seventh and eighth grades.

Long-term, renovations would be made to the old middle school building to house the fourth and fifth grades.

Cox said previously, that the building on Kentucky Ave. would require a new HVAC system, new windows and new electrical wiring.

“It has a better gym, more square footage and better parking,” Cox said previously adding that as the original Corbin High School building, it has significant sentimental value in the community.

“It is easier for buses and parents to pick up and drop off students there,” Cox added.

Cox said that delays in getting the plans for the primary school addition approved by the Kentucky Department Education has pushed back the completion date.

“We told the contractors that we didn’t want to be moving classrooms in the middle of the year, so to plan on completing the addition and the renovations to old middle school in time for the 2019-20 school year,” Cox said.