|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Monday, 12 February 2007 14:00 |
The Watauga County Commissioners and School Board held a joint meeting
last night to discuss the status of the new Watauga High School.
Architect Jennifer Sisak reported on several studies
currently underway on the property. Soil Borings have been done and are
being assessed. Wetlands have been identified and marked for
protection. The only endangered species associated with the property is
the bog turtle, but no actual turtles have been observed on the
property. Sisak confirmed that there is a cemetery on the site, but a
Graveyard Study has not located actual graves to date. Once located,
graves will be disinterred and moved to another site. A Cultural
Resource study is underway to reveal any significant archeological
findings, and the group has received proposals from those hoping to do
a traffic study. Once a firm is selected, they will commence a study to
determine the impact of school traffic on surrounding areas. These
studies, initial site planning and building design are expected to take
about 11 months. Commissioner Jim Deal said they hope to begin
construction in late summer, 2007.
The group is planning for an
opening date of the fall of 2010. That means that current 8th graders
will be the first students to attend a graduation ceremony at the new
school. Tomorrow - news on the approved site plan and construction
at-risk management company.
|
