New high school moves ahead of schedule
The Watauga County School Board received some good news last
week aboutplans to build a new high school.
Don Critcher, school assistant for construction
of the new high school, said the project was 81 percent complete, and no worker injuries had been
reported. Critcher said the project was about 24 days ahead of schedule.
School board
chairman Lowell Younce said construction was on schedule to be complete on May 28, which should give
ample time for moving equipment in and checking out systems. It's expected to open in time for the
fall semester in August.
The school board approved a joint-use agreement for the high
school athletic facilities. The agreement was revised in recognition of the move to a new high
school, with the original agreement dating back to 1998.
Under the agreement, the school
system and the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department will fund a maintenance position,
with parks and recreation paying 40 percent and the school board 60 percent of the salary and
benefits. The high school athletic director will be in charge of all scheduling and reflect the
40-60 split in use.
Since the parks and recreation department's involvement led to a grant
to install outdoor lighting, parks and recreation will be given priority scheduling for night use
of the outdoor facilities. The revised agreement opens up the football, softball, track and
baseball fields for the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department, though priority for use
will stay with the high school.
When not in use, the facilities are open to the public if the
use won't damage the facilities. The two parties also agree to supply maintenance
assistance.
