"It's our hope that in addition to the $25 million (SBA grant), over the period of construction of the other three projects that we would approach the School Building Authority for additional grants in the amount of $20 million," Arvon said Wednesday during the school board's regular meeting.
The other three projects are Mountain Ridge Area Middle School near Gerrardstown, W.Va. ($20 million), a major addition at Musselman High School in Inwood, W.Va. ($7 million) and a major renovation and expansion at Martinsburg North Middle School ($16 million).
The high school project would be the first constructed, possibly in the spring of 2010.
With 115 portable classrooms now in place at schools to accommodate overflow student capacity and 18 more on the way, Arvon said the school district's need for additional instructional space was critical.
The state SBA's commitment of $25 million for the new high school if the taxpayers approve the bond issue, and the possibility of landing $20 million for the other projects is "a big carrot being held out there by the state," Board President William F. "Bill" Queen said.
Queen said he was "very optimistic" voters would approve the bond issue.
Architect Gregory A. Williamson provided board members with an overview of each school project Wednesday night.
o Spring Mills Area High School would be built on the northern Berkeley County campus off U.S. 11 and W.Va. 901, where work is under way to build a new primary school. Williamson said the 228,000-square-foot school's layout is a "derivative" of Musselman High School's design and could feature an exterior neocolonial/classical conceptual style that would match the primary and middle schools there.
The preliminary design also includes space for a school/public library such as the one at Musselman High School, Williamson said.
o Mountain Ridge Area Middle School would be built and furnished to house about 600 students in 84,000 square feet next to the existing intermediate school with a design similar to Spring Mills Middle School, Williamson said.
o Musselman High School would include an estimated 30,000-square-foot addition for 20 classrooms, including four for science laboratories and support spaces, faculty planning rooms, restrooms and elevator access.
"It could possibly be a two-story addition," Williamson said.
o Martinsburg North Middle School's addition would be very similar to the Musselman High School project, including a number of classrooms and science labs. About $7.5 million in renovations include new sprinkler and HVAC systems, electrical and fire-alarm upgrades, replacement of ceilings, windows, gym floor, some interior and exterior doors, restroom and locker room improvements, and new kitchen and dining room additions.
"There is some asbestos that will need to be abated as part of this work," Williamson said.
