CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Kanawha County Board of Education approved Thursday a contract with a company to provide construction management services for two new schools.
The West Virginia School Building Authority is handling how to replace Clendenin Elementary School and Herbert Hoover High School, which were both destroyed in last June’s flood.
Chuck Wilson, executive director of facility planning for Kanawha County Schools, said because of state protocol, a construction manager is required for cases of this size. The SBA chose PCS&manage to lead the project.
Wilson added while the district did not have a say in which company would be assigned, PCS&manage has worked on previous district projects.
“They are a good firm,” Wilson said.
The leading site for the Clendenin Elementary-replacement school is at Hokie Lane near Clendenin, while the preferred choice for the Herbert Hoover High-replacement school is at Given Fork near Elkview Middle School.
PCS&manage will work through the design phase of the project.
Wilson said this stage of the project will cost almost $1.2 million. The estimated total costs for building both facilities is $77 million, though FEMA would fund at least 75 percent of costs with the state covering the remaining amount.
He said a timeline will be developed.
“From working on previous jobs, we have fairly good idea of what typical construction project would look like,” Wilson said. “There’s some extenuating circumstances. A lot more federal people involved and processes, so it will probably extend it a little bit.”
In the meantime, Wilson said portable classrooms for Clendenin Elementary students are expected to be installed at Bridge Elementary School by March 1. Students from both schools are currently sharing classrooms at Bridge Elementary.
Herbert Hoover High students are currently splitting the school day with students at Elkview Middle School. The installation of portable classrooms for those students is scheduled for mid-March.