The public is invited to a ground breaking ceremony for Marietta’s new High School/Junior High Building, to be held on Monday, October 11 at 10 a.m. in front of the Bill Johnson Gymnasium. Guests may park west of the gym.
Present for the ceremony will be school administrators, student representatives, and members of the board of education, as well as representatives from the architecture firm and construction company.
The bond issue funding the new facility received the approval of district voters during a March 2 election.
The 56,895 square-foot building will replace the current high school constructed in 1970 and is expected to ease overcrowding throughout the district.
The plans for the new building call for 28 classrooms that are larger than current classrooms and five science/STEM labs, along with a library/media center, warming kitchen for food service, and an outdoor courtyard.
Also the building will include two indoor commons areas, the largest of which will adjoin and incorporate the remodeled lobby of the Bill Johnson Gymnasium, and enough safe room space to shelter all junior and high school students separately in case of severe weather.
The cost of instruction, including fees and financing charges will be $18,990,000, to be paid off over a 17-year period. Contractors anticipate approximately 16 months of construction, which would result in the facility’s completion sometime during the spring of 2023.