October 30, 2023 | Meridian, MS
The MPSD Board of Trustees received an update from Clay Sims, MPSD Director of Operations, on the status of Bond and ESSER Projects during the Monday, October 23, 2023, monthly meeting held at Magnolia Middle School. Sims was joined by Jason Stewart, of Bailey Project Management, to discuss the progress of the various construction projects taking place throughout the district.
Meridian High School
Sims first spoke about the projects taking place at Meridian High School, letting the Board know that renovations to Meridian High School and the combined Baseball/Softball Complex would now be bid as one project.
“Combining the projects allows us to attract larger construction companies,” said Sims. The work at Meridian High School would include the construction of a single secure point of entry at the front of the school and fencing throughout the camps, connection canopies, and some renovation work to the Fine Arts area along with the construction of the baseball/softball complex.
Baseball/Softball Complex
The combined project is expected to go out for bid by the end of this month (October 2023) and be completed by the end of 2024.
Middle Schools (Magnolia and Northwest)
Work on the district’s two middle schools will include the construction of a secure entry and fencing on both campuses, classroom additions, expansion of the cafeteria, and work to the fine arts area on the Magnolia and Northwest campuses as well. These projects are slated for bid by the end of October 2023 and are targeted to be completed by July 1, 2025.
Carver Elementary
Construction began in the spring of 2023 to convert Carver into an Elementary School for the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Phase 1 of that project, which saw the painting of the interior finished, the hallway restroom up/downstairs renovation completed, and the removal of cabinets on the second level with flooring repaired, was finished by August 1, 2023.
Phase 2 of the project includes emergency work to install classroom restrooms in all K-First Grade rooms as well as restrooms for exceptional education classrooms. All Phase 2 projects are slated to be completed by the end of 2023.
Planning for Phase 3 began in September of this year and will see the addition of adult restrooms on the second level, expansion of student restrooms, a new secure Front Entrance, an additional wall for the Upstairs Office, construction of a Bus Canopy and Loop, completion of a roundabout for the Car Rider Line and the completion of Permanent Parking for visitors and staff. All Phase 3 construction at Carver Elementary is estimated to be complete by Spring 2025.
Elementary Phase 1 (Poplar Springs and Crestwood)
Construction to the Elementary Campuses will be conducted in two phases with the bid date on projects at Crestwood Elementary scheduled for November 2023 and Poplar Springs to follow in early 2024. This will see work on both campuses to include a secure entry, ADA upgrades and work in each school’s auditorium. The estimated completion date for these projects is December 2024.
Elementary Phase 2 (Parkview and Little Wildcat Pre-K Academy)
Bids for the projects at Parkview Elementary and the Little Wildcat Pre-K Academy will take place in the Spring of 2024 and include securing entry areas, ADA work, and work in each school’s auditorium. The estimated completion date for these projects is early 2025.
Update on MPSD ESSER Projects
Sims also updated the board on the status of the ESSER (ESSER FUNDS-Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund) projects that are currently underway in the district. These funds were awarded by the Federal Government to address the impact that Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the United States. Funds are provided state educational agencies and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students. These funds are to assist schools with purchasing technology, distance learning needs, health and safety resources, learning loss, etc.
Meridian High School
Upgrades to the HVAC Controls are currently 99% complete. The new controls will allow the campus to be heated and cooled more efficiently while also ensuring adequate indoor air quality. Work is also being completed in the MHS Girls PE Locker Room. These renovations were made to ensure social distancing, improve airflow, and add automated fixtures to the restrooms.
Ross Collins Career and Technical Center
Work is being done to install updated HVAC systems at Ross Collins Career and Technical Center. The facility is also receiving a new roof and gutters to help with drainage. These projects support improvements in indoor air quality.
Magnolia Middle School
Magnolia Middle School will receive a classroom addition to allow for more effective social distancing that is slated to be bid on in conjunction with the bond renovations in the Spring of 2024. To improve airflow the gym at Magnolia will receive HVAC systems. The Magnolia gym was previously heated only.
Northwest Middle School
Work is currently underway on a new two-classroom addition at Northwest Middle School that is slated to be completed in February 2024. The school’s gym, which is currently only heated, will also receive new HVAC systems. These projects will support social distancing and indoor air quality.
Little Wildcat Pre-K Academy
The school received automated fixtures in the restrooms and improved ventilation to improve restrooms on campus.
Carver Elementary
Carver Elementary is in the process of receiving a new roof and HVAC will be installed in the dressing room of the gym to improve indoor air quality. The school also received automated fixtures in the restrooms and improved ventilation as well.
Crestwood Elementary
Crestwood Elementary is receiving a new roof. The school also received automated fixtures in the restrooms and improved ventilation. Crestwood will also receive a new classroom building with up to five additional instructional spaces. The contract for reroofing has been signed and work on that project will begin in the next few weeks. The additional classroom building will be bid in conjunction with the bond improvements at Crestwood. These improvements will support indoor air quality and social distancing.
Parkview Elementary
The school received automated fixtures in the restrooms and improved ventilation throughout campus to improve restrooms on campus.
Poplar Springs Elementary
The school received automated fixtures in the restrooms and improved ventilation throughout campus to improve restrooms on campus.
West Hills Elementary
A new roof and drainage system was recently completed at West Hills Elementary. The school also received automated fixtures in the restrooms and improved ventilation throughout campus as well. A new six-classroom addition is underway and on schedule to be completed in February 2024. These improvements support indoor air quality and social distancing.
Harris Campus
The school received automated fixtures in the restrooms and improved ventilation throughout campus to improve restrooms on campus.
