CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – The builder of five schools in Horry County says those new and renovated buildings will be ready for the start of classes later this month.
With about two weeks before students go back to class, Horry County Schools says about 250 tasks are left at the five newer buildings in the district. That’s down from more than 800 two weeks ago.
More than half the tasks left to complete are at St. James Intermediate School, which has 71, and Myrtle Beach Middle School, which has 70. Ten Oaks Middle School has 41 items left, Socastee Middle School has 39 items left and Socastee Elementary School has 29 items left. The district originally set an August 1 deadline for all punch-list items to be finished.
The CEO of Firstfloor Energy Positive says 56 items couldn’t be completed because of rain and several remaining tasks are for landscaping.
“Anything that’s related to a plant that’s dead, obviously we’re not going to replant a plant right now,” said Robbie Ferris, president and CEO of Firstfloor. “All of those items in their substantial number will be done in the fall.”
Ferris did assure the school board at Monday night’s meeting that the buildings are safe and ready for students now.
The HCS facilities department says there are also some issues left with doors and windows at some of the buildings.
“Part of our concern is just that equates to security and that’s an important issue for us to be tracking,” said Mark Koll, who’s the coordinator for design, engineering and sustainability for the HCS facilities department.
Firstfloor was given a $240 million contract in 2015 to build the five schools.
Classes for Horry County Schools begin August 22, with teachers and staff returning next Monday.
