Construction Delays Opening of Ky. Middle School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 08/09/21

When school starts on Thursday, Aug. 12, students of East Hardin Middle School in Hardin County, Ky., will return to their old building instead of a brand-new facility as originally expected. Officials say construction problems and electrical issues have resulted in the postponement of the new building’s grand opening. Students were originally supposed to make the move in January before COVID-related complications pushed the date to August. Now, the opening has been delayed again.

“We’ve ran into some electrical issues and just haven’t been able to get where we wanted to be,” said John Wright, Hardin County Schools spokesperson.

Alliance Corp. CEO Tommy Gumm cites a current “inability” to complete the work, failing to meet promised deadlines, and delays in finishing aspects like fire alarm systems on the part of the electric company. Likewise, Hardin County Schools (HCS) Chief Operations Officer John Stith said that the deadline of completing the fire alarm system was missed, which pushed the work to a minimum of a week behind schedule. He also cited delays that came earlier in the process, like masonry work.

On Aug. 1, the HCS Board of Education approved a temporary virtual learning option for East Hardin Students. Later that week, the district announced that in-person instruction would be available at the school’s old location.

“The thoughts of those involved with the construction today [Tuesday, Aug. 3] confirmed our fears about a timely certification of occupancy,” said HCS Superintendent Teresa Morgan. “What we heard today means that virtual instruction would’ve taken place for possibly longer than a month. We had hoped the virtual instruction would not last longer than seven days, and we’d be able to transition into the new building. Any construction project, especially one as large as a new school building, always brings variables and uncertainties.”

Officials have not yet provided an updated timeline on when the $24-million building will be ready for students. “It’s just really uncertain right now,” said Wright. Morgan agreed that the district will communicate with families regarding the building’s opening.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Image courtesy of Armstrong International

    The Modern Hot Water System Approach to Keep Higher Education Buildings Safe and Operational

    Higher education campuses face unique structural and operational demands. With a range of old and new buildings, a variety of facility types, and ambitious sustainability goals, it's essential that no aspect of infrastructural performance is overlooked. Facility managers must be equipped to provide a safe, reliable and efficient space for students, faculty and guests.

  • University of West Florida Opens New Laboratory Facility

    The University of West Florida recently announced that renovation work is complete on a new lab building for its campus in Pensacola, Fla., according to university news. Building 80 will serve as the home to the university’s civil engineering program and the Tyler Chase Norwood Construction Management Program.

  • Lewis C. Cassidy Elementary School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Lewis C. Cassidy Elementary School has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

  • Enjoy Tax and Energy Savings with the Right Ceiling Solutions

    Thanks to recent innovations pairing mineral fiber ceiling panels with phase change material technology (PCM), architects, designers, facility managers, and other key players in construction and renovation projects are re-thinking the role ceilings play in supporting environmental objectives—especially energy savings.

Digital Edition