School Construction Report

Goal 2008: WCPSS is committed to academic excellence. By 2008, 95 percent of students in grades 3 through 12 will be at or above grade level as measured by the State of North Carolina End-of-Grade or Course tests, and all student groups will demonstrate high growth.

May 27, 2005

GROUNDBREAKING PLANNED FOR BRIER CREEK ELEMENTARY
The Wake County Public School System, the city of Raleigh and Wake County will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Brier Creek Elementary School, community center and community park June 1. The site is located off Brier Creek Parkway in Raleigh. The school should open for the fall of 2006. The new Brier Creek Elementary is part of the PLAN 2004 School Building Program that voters approved in October 2003.

SCHOOL BOARD AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOUR SCHOOLS
On May 18, Wake County Commissioners and Board of Education members took a bus ride together getting a first-hand look at school needs. The two elected groups are discussing funding for school operations and school construction needs. They visited Wake Forest-Rolesville High, East Millbrook Middle and Root Elementary where they heard from students, parents and teachers.

WORK UNDERWAY ON MODULAR SCHOOL CAMPUSES
Work is progressing at the three sites where temporary modular elementary schools - Forest Pines Road, Harris Creek and Wakelon - will open next school year. The modular facilities are in place at the Wakelon site on NC 97 and work is continuing on the campus. At the Forest Pines Road site in Wake Forest, modulars have been brought on site and are being assembled. At the Harris Creek location, site preparation is still underway. The temporary modular schools will provide relief to crowded elementary school campuses. Meanwhile, work is underway on the permanent schools that will open in the next two years.

BOARD APPROVES CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR LONGVIEW SCHOOL
At its May 17 meeting, the Board of Education approved construction documents for the construction of additions and renovations at Longview School. The project will be funded by the PLAN 2000 School Construction Program.

BOARD APPROVES NAME FOR NEW SCHOOL
At its May 17 meeting, the Board of Education named the new alternative middle school River Oaks Middle School. This is a change from an earlier name "Hedingham Middle School." At its May 3 meeting, the Board of Education awarded a single-prime contract to Riley Contracting Group, Inc. in the amount of $2,698,500 for the construction of the school. This will convert an existing office building for use as a special alternative middle school to open during 2005-06. This project is part of the PLAN 2000 School Building Program and the PLAN 2004 School Building Program.

BOARD NAMES BROUGHTON AUDITORIUM AFTER PAYNE
At its May 17 meeting, the Board of Education honored retiring Broughton High School principal Diane Payne by naming the school's auditorium in her honor. The board acted on the request of the Broughton High School community

Payne has had a distinguished career in public education as a counselor, assistant principal, central office administrator, and principal. While serving as Broughton's principal for 14 years, Payne was a dedicated, committed, and highly effective principal. She worked to implement the International Baccalaureate middle years program; initiate a student planning and leadership experience; create a principal's advisory council; began a community service program; created a tutoring center; and led the school to exemplary educational achievement.

Payne was praised for her leadership during the school's renovation program that included updating the auditorium. Her supporters say, "Her work with contractors, staff, an acoustical expert, and architectural use of the old iron gates as an accent for the walls, make it a beautiful and superb performance facility."

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The School Construction Report is published electronically every other week for everyone interested in the Wake County Public School System. Is what you read in this edition helpful? What information would you like to see in future editions? Contact me by calling 850-1829 or e-mailing bposton@wcpss.net.

Bill Poston
Wake County Public School System
Communications Department
3600 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611

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