With new middle school on schedule, Corbin BOE turns attention to primary school addition

The Corbin Board of Education took another step toward the construction of a new wing at the primary school Thursday by approving the construction documents and a motion to advertise for bids.

The new wing will be constructed between the kindergarten and first grade pods.

“It will run parallel to the kindergarten pod with a grass courtyard separating them,” said Corbin Superintendent Dave Cox.

The new pod will have 10 classrooms and, what Cox described as a “makers space.”

“It is a space where the kids can go and do hands-on activities,” Cox explained.

Cox said the bids for the project are scheduled to be opened on Dec. 14 with construction to begin in February.

The project will cost approximately $4 million.

“We have the bonding potential to fund it,” Cox said.

Cox said the project is scheduled to take eight to ten months to complete.

“We are hoping by Christmas of next year,” Cox said.

When the project is completed, Cox said it would initially house the third grade, which is currently at the elementary school building on Eighth Street with the fourth grade.

Cox said construction on the new middle school on the former St. Camillus Academy property is under roof and on track for completion in time for the 2018-19 school year.

The interior lighting has been delivered and workers have begun installing it and finishing up the electrical work.

“The next big milestone will be energizing the HVAC system,” Cox said noting that is expected to happen within the next few weeks.

Once completed, the sixth grade will join the seventh and eighth grades in the new building.

Cox said the new middle school and the addition to the primary school would permit the school system to put the fourth and fifth grades into one building and close the others.

The short-term solution would be to put fourth and fifth grades in either the elementary or intermediate school.

“One has a better roof, while the other has better traffic flow,” Cox said of the intermediate and elementary school buildings.

“We will have the architect and engineer review each of the buildings to determine which would be the best option.”

The long-term plan is to renovate the middle school to house the fourth and fifth grades.

Cox said the building, which originally housed the high school, would need a new HVAC system, new windows, and new electric wiring.

“It has the better gym, more square footage and better parking,” Cox said of the building. Cox added that as the original high school, the building holds significant sentimental value within the community.