The process involving construction of the new Johnson Elementary School took a big step forward Tuesday when the Board of Education approved the schematic design for the new facility. And Harrison County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin took a bigger leap of faith today when it came to when it will be open.

 

During last night’s BOE meeting, the schematic design – primarily how the building will sit on the property in which it will be built – was given a final approval. While that doesn’t mean a few tweaks could be in place and deductive alternatives added as the project moves forward, it does mean area the BOE revealed to the public and other shareholders in recent weeks is where the building will sit.

 

For those that aren’t familiar with the location, the building will sit in the area where the youth league fields are just outside of Wayne Jamison Field, angled slightly to the right with the front facing Johnson Avenue. The back of the building will be close to the fence at Jamison Field as well as the fencing along the Bridgeport High School baseball field.

 

Manchin said he was pleased this portion of the process was complete and that it will keep the project on the timeline he’s proposed. That timeline, he said today, “will be met.” What that means, if those words prove true, is that students will be going into their new building at the start of the school year in 2018. Right now, that would likely mean in August of that year.

 

“I’ve emphasized to the architect and the construction manager and will emphasize it to the winning contractor on the project that this building will be completed by August of 2018. It’s going to be required in the bid documents that we put out and it’s going to be made known when we have an upcoming and mandatory pre-bid conference on the school,” said Manchin. “We don’t have an option to be late because the old (Johnson Elementary) won’t be sitting there. It will be demolished.”

 

Because of that, the schematic approval was key. Between down and the time the final design document is complete and put out to bid, interior conceptual design will begin.

 

Manchin hopes the final design documents will be put out to bid by mid- to late-February or early March. In between then and now, Manchin said he’s still planning on meeting with the City of Bridgeport. Council members said they would be willing to look into working with the BOE to address some concerns they had with the schematic design – most notably involving upgrading the gymnasium – as part of the process.

 

“We have a true partnership with the city in that we have fluid and open lines of communication. We recognize that the building is for the students, but our schools become community buildings as well,” said Manchin. “We do plan on working with them to see if we can reach a conclusion to any of their concerns as an elected board representing the city.

 

“We have to do that in the next six to eight weeks as we try to finalize things. What they want, if they decide they want anything, is something I will take back to the Board and give my own recommendation,” Manchin continued. “As always, it comes down to one thing – money. Any addition to this project, such as the gymnasium, would be at our cost and not covered by any School Building Authority funds.”

 

Bridgeport officials have the ability, under Home Rule, to contribute city dollars to a school project. Council members indicated they would be willing to consider such a contribution if deemed necessary.

 

The 65,000 square foot, two-story building, $16.7 million school is funded through two sources. The SBA is providing $10.7 million, while the other $6 million are local funds that are the result of dollars provided by Harrison County taxpayers.

 

Along with ironing out those details, Manchin said there will be additional geotechnical work done. He said holes will be drilled to make sure the site as schematically designed – and where concrete will be poured to support the new facility – is in good shape.

 

“Many times, the most important thing is what is below ground. It’s what you can’t see that can cause problems,” said Manchin. “The good news is that you get most of your surprises now and during the bidding process. Once the project starts, the goal is to keep surprises eliminated or to a minimum.”

 

Manchin said once a contractor is chosen it’s critical to stay on top of the process because with the main contractor and numerous subcontractors, there are multiple moving parts.

 

“Once construction starts in mid- to late-March or early in April, we have to stay on it,” said Manchin. “I know I’ll personally be there and we’ll make sure that all the contractors specializing in all of their trades on top of things as well. When you’re dealing with a building of this size that will house roughly 700 students, the process won’t be easy. That said, the process still should be smooth and we have all intentions of making that the case.”

 

Editor's Note: Dr. Mark Manchin addresses Bridgeport City Council last month, while the schematic design Council observed at the same meeting of the new Johnson Elementary School is shown below.