BY KARISSA MILLER
Iredell-Statesville Schools is inching closer to beginning construction of Weathers Creek High School after the school board approved a plan to reduce the cost to meet the $130 million budget set by the Iredell County Board of Commissioners.
“It’s a tight, tight budget. It’s going to take some work there, but it’s something that we feel like we can do,” I-SS Chief Operations Officer Mark Shinkaruk explained to the board.
The revised scope of the project includes the construction of the school side of the creek, rough grading for the athletic field side, the contingency fee, the FFE (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) package, testing and special inspections and design fees.
Cost Breakdown
♦ Construction: $114,000,000
♦ Contingency (3%): $3,420,000
♦ Design Fees: $7,000,000
♦ Special Inspections: $550,000
♦ Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment: $5,030,000
Shinkaruk told the board that I-SS Superintendent Jeff James and others have “discussed at length ideas for funding FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment) and these other things to make it work.”
“We want to put a shovel in the ground,” Shinkaruk said.
The school, which will be located at 246 Overcash Road, will have a capacity of 1,600 students.
Cost estimates for the project, including the athletic facilities, have been as high as $190 million.
But county commissioners have drawn a hard line at $130 million. Voters approved $80 million for the new school in 2020. Commissioners agreed to borrow another $40 million, and will use $10 million from the county’s fund balance.
“It is what it is. The commissioners said this all you’re going to get. The company (Monteith) was nice enough to break it down and come off of their original price. At least we will be able to break ground and get a school started,” said Chairman Bill Howell.
The next step is for the county to secure the financing for the project, which will happen early next year, officials stated.
Shinkaruk, in an interview, explained that once financing is secured, the district hopes to break ground on the new high school in March.
It remains unclear how the district will pay for the athletic facilities.
“It doesn’t include the athletic fields in this $130 million, but our hope is to be in a position where we can add those,” Shinkaruk said.
Construction is expected to take about 30 months. However, it could move a little faster since the scope has been reduced from the original proposal, officials stated.
Very short sighted of the county commissioners to not spend the additional money for athletic facilities.
It’s not fair to the kids going to the new school not to have ball fields.
How many years until the fields are built? It will get kicked down the road forever!!!
Why can’t multiple schools use the same athletic facilities in their district. Every school doesn’t have to spend $10 million on ball fields and other athletic stuff. They can stagger games to utilize the fields so everyone has a chance to play. This would be a cost savings for the taxpayers. Just a suggestion.
Athletics have saved many children from going down the wrong road. It’s more important than what a building looks like. What’s happened to nice straight line buildings? The millions paid to the architect should have been spent on the students’ wellbeing.
It’s unfair to the Taxpayers that we have to spend $50 Million more, without a say, for a school after the Board dropped the ball. I voted yes on the Bond but not $130 Million plus.
As far as the Athletic Field how about letting local big businesses foot the bill, let them sponsor it, instead of on the back of the middle class already struggling just to meet the expenses of new tax bill as it is.
Given the recent flooding in the western part of the state after Helene, is anyone else a bit worried that this new, over-budget high school is being built next to Shins Creek? According to county flood maps, part of the campus lies in a 100-year flood plain. Is this really the best place to build? Also, many districts are moving to localized facilities and fields used by multiple schools. Easier to secure and cheaper to maintain.
♦ Design Fees: $7,000,000 ?? For that design? Are we building for classrooms or what?
I love athletics but the cost is extremely high so get over the idea that each school needs college level stadiums and etc. This no longer an option. Facilities must be shared. The number one school in NC has no sports. At the end of 12 years of school wouldn’t you trade academic success in for physical success that will soon wain as students grow older? In addition, People need to understand that with the reckless annexation by Statesville City Council we have 22000 building units already approved in Iredell. This will require dozens of new schools and other costly expenses. This will cost billions. Iredell citizens will be paying many more times our current low property taxes soon. We need impact fees and to replace the mayor and current city council. Please, people, get involved, vote, or shut the hell up.