The Macon County Board of Commissioners approved LS3P as the architect for Highlands Middle School renovations during the Dec. 13 board meeting. They also gave County Manager Derek Roland the OK to begin negotiations for the planning and design services.
Macon County Schools Superintendent Chris Baldwin said the building was constructed in 1995 so the HVAC, windows, flooring and roof are near the end of its lifespan. Baldwin said Highlands Middle fit the scope of what the state funds could be used for.
“We have the opportunity to place it with lottery funding, so it’s the perfect opportunity,” Baldwin stated.
According to Roland, LS3P was the only company to submit a request for qualifications.
The estimated cost for planning and design services is $63,430 and estimated construction cost is $634,300. The contract would have to be approved by the commissioners before work starts. The money is coming from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s repair and renovation fund.
Commissioner John Shearl asked how the middle school project could impact the Pre-K project, to which Baldwin responded that it won’t.
“The overall project with the Pre-K facility, the high school project, the middle school renovation, they should be able to be done in concert with no interference,” Baldwin said of the Highlands school projects.
The Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education will hold a joint meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21 in the Macon County Courthouse, Courtroom A. The commissioners originally asked to meet on Dec. 20, but the county manager’s office confirmed late last week that the meeting will be Dec. 21.
Commissioner Josh Young said with all the construction either ongoing or planned at several Macon County schools and with the combined four new board members, it would be good idea for the boards to meet. Roland said the FHS project is “coming to a place where we need to discuss next steps."