District 5 Approves Design Development at Irmo, Dutch Fork

The Lexington-Richland 5 board voted 6-1 to approve the design development plans of the additions and renovations at Irmo and Dutch Fork high schools.

Representatives from Stevens & Wilkinson — an architecture, engineering and design firm in charge of the designs for the projects — presented design developments for phase one of renovations at Irmo High and phases one and two at Dutch Fork.

The designs can be viewed in the attached PDFs to the right of the article. 

Phase I of both projects are designed to address traffic and parking, a new student drop off route and redefine entry points onto campus.

The Irmo High project includes a new performing arts center, new field house/renovations, new ticket information center and more parking.

At Dutch Fork, the district plans to have a new health/science field house, more parking spaces, new stands and press box at the baseball field, and new concessions and restrooms.

The plans presented to the board provided more detail of where the renovations and additions would take place at each school.

During the presentation, board member Kim Murphy asked several questions about the budgets for the construction projects but little information was given beyond what was provided in the reports.

Murphy asked that the board defer approval because she said the plans were only partial conceptual drawings. 

"I believe it's premature," Murphy said. "I'm not opposed to the projects, I'm opposed to the process."

The board went on to approve both design development plans with Murphy voting against the motions. 

Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Stephen Hefner gave a brief update on construction at Irmo Elementary School and the new Center for Advanced Technical Studies (CATE Center).

Hefner said Irmo Elementary is expected to be completed by the start of the new school year. The project included construction of a new classroom addition, a new cafeteria and media center as well as interior renovations to the school's original building. Improvements were made to the student drop off route and parking. 

For the CATE Center, Hefner said he anticipates it opening at the start of the new school year, however, there will be some projects that will still need to be completed.

The center is located on the corner of Broad River Road and Mt. Vernon Church Road.

Dedication ceremonies for both schools could be scheduled as early as October, Hefner said.

Updates on Chapin High School, the new Spring Hill High School and the first phase of Irmo High School were also presented during the superintendent's report. 

The Chapin High project includes a new classroom addition, a new gym with a stage and expansion to the school's cafeteria and media center. Construction also includes new practice fields and athletic facility, and improvements to parking and traffic flow.

Works in progress at the school include renovations to the media center; new curbing, grading and stone at the existing entrances; and retaining walls have been installed.

The project is now estimated to be completed in December 2014 after some delays, project managers said. 

Phase 1 of the Irmo High project addresses traffic and parking. The project calls for the creation of a new student drop off route and redefined entry points. 

Board member Ellen Baumgardner asked about Irmo High's kitchen renovations stating that she heard rumors that the project wouldn't be completed by the beginning of the school and that students would have to eat bag lunches. 

A manager for the project said there was a lot of equipment still on order but he was expecting the items would come in when they needed them. He also said that plans were being developed in case it was necessary for students to have bag lunches.

Proposed Superintendent's Goals for 2012-2013

Hefner presented what he called "broad" goals for the 2012-2013 school year. 

Some goals included sustaining and enhancing the district's record of excellence in student achievement, and proceeding with "all deliberate speed" on the district's new construction and renovation projects. 

, he discussed three required actions from the district's 2010 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) report.. 

Hefner used those required actions as the basis for his goals.

Board member Jim Turner said while he didn't have any problems with Hefner's goals he did want to see him identify ways the board could measure whether Hefner was successful at reaching each goal.

Murphy tried again to push for the board to discuss priorities for Hefner

Murphy said goals should be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely).

She said the board should meet to openly discuss priorities and develop S.M.A.R.T. goals based on identified needs.

The board is expected to continue discussion of the superintendent's goal at its next meeting in August.