The three school systems in Catawba County will each receive $11 million from the county for a new elementary school in this funding cycle.
The cycle runs from 2011-15. Catawba County Schools plans to build its new school in the Banoak area, close to Propst Crossroads in the Foard area, said Superintendent Glenn Barger.
“At the beginning of 2012, we’ll get more serious about it, but we plan to build in 2014 with occupancy in 2015,” he said. “It will not only help Banoak, but will help with crowding at Blackburn (Elementary), as well.”
Banoak Elementary had 337 students in November, which is 92 more than its capacity. Because of the school’s location, it is unable to expand. Blackburn Elementary had 694 students in November. That is 44 students over capacity. The area is projected to grow in the coming years, according to an analysis by the Western Piedmont Council of Governments.
The new elementary school will be built for 600 to 700 students, Barger said.
Newton-Conover City Schools plans to build a new South Newton Elementary, on West I Street.
“We’ll keep the front of the building, which includes a preschool class, EC class, the library and the front office, which are newer,” said Superintendent Barry Redmond. “Everything else will be demolished.”
Tentative plans are to build a two-story, L-shaped school next to the current building. Classes would continue while the new school would be built, Redmond said. Once construction was completed, the old school would be demolished and the playground and parking would be moved there.
“We’d be very careful with the students. A good example is how Murray Elementary has done their construction,” Redmond said, citing the additional classrooms and renovation the school has done throughout the previous school year. “There would be a construction barrier in place. There would be a limitation on outside play, but the tradeoff is a new school.”
He said students would be able to play in a large field near the school, as well as the gym.
The system hopes to open the school in the fall of 2013.
Hickory Public Schools plans to open its new school at the old Grandview Middle School property on 12th Street, SW, said Beverly Snowden, public information officer for the school system.
The school will serve the students of Longview Elementary, Snowden said. Information about what will happen to the current Longview Elementary is not yet available.
Construction is expected to begin in 2013, with classes beginning in the new school as early as January 2014. The school will be built for 450 students, but can expand to 600, Snowden said.
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