Architects begin work on school bond projects After receiving approval from voters on November 8, 2005, the first steps toward actual construction have started in the Carteret County Public School System. Architects have started their work on school bond construction projects approved by county citizens in the fall election.

            Voters approved two bond referendums totaling $50 million for a variety of projects.

Board of Education members voted December 13, 2005, to approval negotiating a contract for architectural/engineering work with Shuller Ferris Lindstrom + Associates (SFL+A), and with that tentative approval in hand architects from the firm began preliminary field work the next day. The Board of Education is expected to approve final architectural contracts at its January 10, 2006, meeting.

“SFL+A is pleased to be here and to work with the school system and the county officials to upgrade the schools to meet needs and current education requirements,” John Birath, SFL+A architect, said. “It will be exciting to work hand in hand with school personnel to address all the issues outlined in the bond.” SFL+A has offices in Fayetteville and Charlotte.

Bond construction projects include additions to handle overcrowding as well as other new construction and renovations. Additional classrooms will be added at Bogue Sound Elementary, Newport Elementary and White Oak Elementary. A classroom/administration addition will be constructed at East Carteret High School, and an auditorium will be built at Croatan High.

            Architects spent last week reviewing the five sites where new construction is planned. The reviews including measuring areas such as walls, door ways and rooms. Mr. Birath said architects are verifying existing drawings of the facilities and document actual existing conditions.

            Mr. Birath explained consultants in areas such as mechanical, electrical and plumbing will now take the measurements and findings and check all the systems.
            “We have to document the actual building features first and then develop an accurate drawing,” Mr. Birath said. “This is a process and we are moving as quickly as possible. Once we have all the information, we will put it into one drawing per site and then will sit down with the users to review. We will then discuss the scope of work and evaluate that along with the curriculum requirements.”

            Architects took measurements and worked to verify drawings at Newport Elementary and White Oak Elementary, two older schools that will have additional classrooms added. Measurements and drawing work also took place at East Carteret High, a school that will receive a classroom/administration office addition and undergo major renovations.

            The location of the new classroom addition at Bogue Sound Elementary was also reviewed by SFL+A architects. When initially constructed, the school as designed for expansion. Also, architects checked the site for the auditorium on the campus of Croatan High.

            Bond work will also include modifying heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve humidity control and ventilation, repairing or replacing roofs, and replacing doors and windows at Atlantic Elementary, Beaufort Middle, Bogue Sound Elementary, Broad Creek Middle, Croatan High, East Carteret High, Harkers Island Elementary, Morehead City Middle, Morehead City Primary, Newport Elementary, Smyrna Elementary, West Carteret High, White Oak Elementary and the central services office.

Gyms will be air conditioned at Beaufort Middle, Harkers Island Elementary, Newport Elementary and White Oak Elementary. Upgrades to sewer systems to meet state environmental requirements will be made at Bogue Sound Elementary, Broad Creek Middle and Smyrna Elementary. Work bays for the school bus repair shop will also be added.

Carteret County Public School System
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