School Bond Construction

School Bond Construction Committee

The School Bond Construction Committee, a special committee of the Board of Education and Board of County Commissioners, meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (unless otherwise noted).  Other special called meetings or work sessions may be scheduled as needed.  Meetings are held at 5:00 p.m. in the conference room of the Morris Education Center, located at 225 Rosenwald Lane, Brevard, NC (unless otherwise noted).  Because of restrictions due to Covid-19, the meetings will be restricted to 10 people or less until further notice but will be broadcast or recorded and posted to our website.


How We Got Here

In November 2018, Transylvania County voters approved a $68 million bond referendum for facility improvements at Brevard High school and Rosman High and Middle Schools.

These improvements included the following high-priority items –

  • Increased safety at both sites
  • New high school classrooms at Rosman
  • A new auxiliary gym and kitchen/cafeteria at Brevard

Working with the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners, a School Bond Construction Committee (SBCC) was formed, consisting of members of the Board of Education, BHS MediaBoard of Commissioners, school system administration, and representatives from the three campuses.

After soliciting proposals from architectural and construction firms, the SBCC recommended, and the Board of Education approved, Clark Nexsen Architects and Vannoy Construction to provide construction services for the project.  Since that time over $2 million has been spent in the planning process to provide safe, functional, and updated campuses, starting with conceptual designs and moving into design development.  In September 2020 over 500 pages of design development plans and preliminary phasing were presented to the Board of Education and approved.  Final construction documents will be developed from these plans.

During the design process Vannoy Construction, under the construction manager at risk method of construction delivery, has been an integral part in developing phasing, value engineering, and providing logistical input to both the Board and the architects.

Our Direction

Combining countless hours of staff input and best practice, Clark Nexsen has provided campus visions that readily meet the Board’s priorities plus much more. 

Some of the highlights:

  • BHS FrontBoth sites will have
    • single points of main entry with multiple layers of security designed using the national Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design standards
    • a reduced number of entry points to increase student and staff safety
    • great new collaboration and small group spaces that provide students with alternative learning environments.
    • new state of the art CTE facilities with both indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
    • new state of the art exceptional children and OCS spaces
    • updated ADA access that meets new standards
  • Rosman CafeteriaBrevard High will have
    • a new auxiliary gym
    • new cafeteria/commons area and kitchen
    • new fieldhouse area with JROTC moving to the former fieldhouse
    • new concession stand new athletic support areas
    • new media center
    • new administrative offices and support areas
    • new art gallery
  • Rosman Middle and High will have
    • improved traffic patterns for buses and cars to increase student safety
    • all new high school classrooms and support space
    • newer classroom space for Rosman MRHS classroomsiddle now occupied by the high school
    • great new “maker” space for Rosman Middle art and career exploration programs
    • new bandroom and support space
    • new gym support and concessions areas
    • new home and visitor locker rooms

Floorplans are nearly finalized for both sites at this time.  Unfortunately, legal counsel has recommended, based on state law and precedent, that we not publish those plans.  Providing these online might compromise the safety of our students and staff by revealing possible entry and exit points for unauthorized and possibly dangerous reasons.

It's Not Just About the Numbers

Rosman entryThe amount of time, effort, and money poured into the largest public project in Transylvania County history is staggering.  Thousands of manhours have gone into the planning and design of the projects.  According to Chad Roberson, principal and lead architect for the projects, “These are probably the two most complicated projects we have ever undertaken.”

Of the $68 million in total spending, over $60 million will go into construction, with the remainder spent for architectural and other design services, permits and fees, and furniture, equipment, and technology.  Click on the image to the right for a pdf budget chart.

Budget chartBecause both sites will be occupied during construction, phasing is also difficult.  Some spaces will be renovated during unoccupied summer months, while most of the new construction will be going full speed all year long.  Our team has tried to minimize learning disruptions, moving of classrooms, etc., as much as possible during construction.

One of Vannoy Construction’s greatest strengths is maintaining jobsite safety and security, and ensuring proper separation of construction activity and normal school operations.  Monitors and supervisors will be onsite daily to ensure maximum safety for students, staff, and visitors.

How Long Is This Thing Going to Take?

Projects this complicated and this massive will take quite a while to complete.  However, as each phase is completed, students and staff will be able to move into the new and renovated spaces and begin enjoying them while the rest of the projects are completed.  The construction industry has been in turmoil since the pandemic began last March, and the effects are being felt in both timelines and costs.  Lead times for many critical items have been stretched, the state review time has nearly doubled, and costs continue to rise at an alarming rate.  After receiving bids, the Board has determined that we must modify the scope of the projects to bring costs in line with the budget.  This will delay the projects until summer 2022 at the earliest.  While disappointing, this is necessary because of the extreme market volatility we are experiencing now.

BHS CTE cutawayThank You!

Thanks to all who have contributed time, ideas, and input on these very important projects.  This will be a long and difficult process but the end result will be something we hope you and future generations will be proud of for many years to come.  We appreciate the commitment that Transylvania County voters have made to improve our schools, and we take the trust you have placed in us very seriously.

If you would like more information or have questions you can contact the Superintendent’s office at 828-884-6173.

                              

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