Magnet Cove Elementary School construction on schedule
The construction process for the new Magnet Cove Elementary school project continues to progress productively, according to Magnet Cove School District Superintendent Danny Thomas. While school is currently on the Christmas holiday break, plans for the new school remain on schedule.
The project has been an overwhelming experience for the Magnet Cove community. Thomas feels this new project will have an impact on the school district and everyone has worked hard to help make the process successful going into the 2021 new year.
"It has been fairly good. All of the required documents that we submitted have been approved by the Arkansas Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation— but we are looking forward to seeing actual boots on the ground on a daily basis working to build the new elementary school," Thomas noted.
He also added, "However, Phase 1 has been mostly completed which was all about being able to reroute the traffic flow at the elementary school campus for the start of the second semester (January 4, 2020) as Phase 2 of construction begins."
Thomas emphasized Phase 1 has been mostly completed. He mentioned during this phase of construction, an awning was added to the west side of the elementary school, multiple signs put up, a gravel road was laid on the west side of school with a driveway exit onto Highway 51, a new staff and visitor parking area was constructed, an additional elementary fence with two gates was added, and a striping for a vehicle queuing area was completed.
During the Christmas break, the car rider sensor reader will be relocated to
the southwest end of the elementary school and the queuing area for the student pick- up will be re- striped. Actual handson work of constructing the new elementary school begins in earnest at the beginning of January.
The summer of 2022 remains to be the target date for completion of the project. “The new elementary school will be open for the start of the 2022- 2023 school year,” Thomas said.
While the COVID- 19 pandemic continues its worldwide effects, Thomas mentioned it has not affected the construction process of the new elementary school.
“COVID- 19 has not affected the construction schedule and the project is on schedule,” Thomas said.
He added, “Patrons will be able to see actual construction taking place on a daily basis at the start of January as this coincides with the implementation of the new traffic flow pattern.”
The Magnet Cove community passed the proposed millage rate increase
to build the new school. The current Magnet Cove Elementary School was originally constructed in 1950. The building is no longer able to effectively sustain enrollment and function as intended due to its antiquated offerings and compliance issues that are ever present in an educational space that is nearly 70 years old. The school district believes it would be extremely challenging to bring these facilities up to standards while providing a safe environment for educational occupancy and the costs of such renovations do not justify its salvage, Thomas said.
The architectural services for the project are provided by CAMD Architecture, Inc., in El Dorado. The construction management services are under the direction of Hill & Cox Corporation of Hot Springs.
As the construction process continues, Thomas is very thankful to everyone for striving to pursue in building a new elementary school that will benefit the community for the future.