Construction at BHS will begin in early 2014
Post date: Dec 13, 2013 5:11:04 PM
It has been just over three months since Bartlesville voters overwhelmingly approved a $36.72 million Bartlesville Public School District bond proposal on September 10. Although shovels have yet to hit the dirt, much hard work and countless hours of preparation has been taking place over the past few months. The progress will soon be evident as construction work will begin early next year on the campus of Bartlesville High School.
“Following the passage of the bond issue in September, we have been working hard to ensure we get the projects underway as soon as possible. Ensuring we have a successful plan in place will allow us to complete the projects efficiently and in a timely manner. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and complete projects efficiently, and we will most certainly do that,” said BPSD Superintendent, Dr. Gary W. Quinn.
In early October, a construction committee recommended that the Bartlesville Pubic School District Board of Education name Nabholz as the construction manager for the upcoming BPSD construction projects. The Board of Education approved the recommendation a few months ago, and Nabholz will oversee the construction projects and ensure projects are done correctly and efficiently. The use of a construction manager has been common among large-scale projects in the district including 2007 and 2012 bond projects.
Additionally, over the past several months, design committees made up of BPSD teachers and administrators have been meeting to create a design, specifically at the high school, which will be most efficient and work the best for a 9-12 high school. A tentative interior layout, with subject-area assignments across all of the buildings to create a departmentalized freshman academy with separate departmentalized classrooms for grades 10-12, has been sent out to all 9-12 staff for their consideration. Teachers in the various departments are meeting with Principal LaDonna Chancellor and Scott Ambler and Joey Evans of Ambler Architects in December and January to review that layout.
With the planning process in full swing and construction soon to begin, securing funding was a must to complete projects quickly. The funding is currently in place which will allow work to begin in short order.
Much of the work at the high school can be done during the school year, however, the summer will be an especially busy time at BHS. Work will continue at BHS throughout the 2014-2015 school year and is expected to be completed in August 2015. To start the 2015-2016 school year, freshman and sophomores will move from the current Bartlesville Mid-High School facility to BHS, creating a 9-12 high school featuring a freshman academy.
“It is an exciting time for the Bartlesville Public School District. I look forward to the work beginning at Bartlesville High School. Improving our facilities is extremely important. The expansion of the high school is something that will greatly benefit our students,” said Quinn.
