Work on Marietta’s new MS/HS facility is ongoing as Phase 1’s earthwork is progressing on schedule with the trenching and underground piping to hook into existing systems underway. In the next step, fill dirt will be brought into prepare for the foundation.
Phase 2, the building construction, however, has hit a bump in the road. Construction bids were opened on December 28, with an eye toward the Board of Education accepting bid packages at the regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, January 4.
The lack of a bid for plumbing derailed the plan, and the board tabled that item, deferring it to a special board meeting scheduled for later in January.
“Although we had good bidder turnout in other areas, we had no plumbers respond to the initial bid date,” said Superintendent Brandi Naylor. “Our construction managers, Red Sky Construction, believe that’s due in part to the holidays, so we are estimating that we will have those bids in and have a final cost projection later this month.”
The bond issue funding the new facility received the approval of district voters during a March 2, 2021, election. The 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 classrooms, science/STEM labs, a library/media center, commons areas, and enough safe room space to shelter all junior and high school students separately in case of severe weather, among other upgrades.
The cost of construction, including fees and financing charges, will 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.