HAMLET — Ashley Dennis with Moseley and Blair Bordeaux, president of Bordeaux Construction, issued the latest updates regarding the L.J. Bell new facility project.
Dennis began her presentation by addressing the board about the classroom change approved during its May 12 meeting.
Dennis shared a cost comparison, noting that renovating the existing auditorium and constructing a new lobby would cost an estimated $1,723,750, while building four new classrooms and a stage is estimated at $2,497,500. Under the classroom plan approved by the board, the auditorium would be demolished and replaced with classrooms. A stage would be added to the existing gymnasium to create a multipurpose space.
Dennis said she has been having conversations with L.J. Bell Principal Meredith Norwood regarding seating for the stage area, with bleachers being installed.
Bordeaux said the project is estimated to be about a month behind schedule. Demolition is expected to begin this fall, with construction beginning in spring 2027. The target completion date is August 2028.
Last November, the school district was awarded a $42 million grant through North Carolina’s Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund to build a new facility for L.J. Bell.
Bordeaux noted that the L.J. Bell site is “a heavily sloping site and having two points of tie-in,” which creates challenges related to split-level construction. He said Bordeaux Construction has been working with Dennis and the Moseley team to identify ways to make construction easier and faster.
Dennis said there could be savings by having only one connection point to existing buildings, creating a freer site and “not having two pieces that you’re connecting to.”
“What we’re looking at is ways we can make the project more efficient and really trying to maximize the value of where the dollars at,” Bordeaux said. “I like to tell people our role is not to make the difficult decisions, but it’s really to try to give the information to make the informed decisions, maximize where the grant funding is going.”
The board also revisited discussion surrounding the auditorium after learning about a potential tax-credit opportunity that could provide additional funding for the project.
Board member Daryl Mason asked why the auditorium was still being discussed after the board had approved its demolition. Chairman Cory Satterfield responded that, in addition to the grant funding the district has received, there is a possibility of obtaining a tax credit that could generate additional funds for the project. The application process would be submitted through the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, and any funds would likely be received around spring 2027, midway through the L.J. Bell project.
School board attorney Eva DuBuisson explained the tax credit program.
“It’s called a new markets tax credit, and I am far from an expert on this. It’s a very complex financing tool, but essentially the federal government creates these tax credits to encourage investment in economically distressed communities or rural communities, and you qualify.”
DuBuisson shared a success story involving Northampton County, which was able to capitalize on the tax credit while building a new high school and receive an additional $6 million for the project.
She said the credit is not a loan and does not have to be repaid.
“The way it works is at a very high level, the federal government issues these tax credits to like community development organizations who then sell them to investors, and essentially the investors give you cash and in return they get a break on their taxes…,” said DuBuisson. “They come together in groups and do this. They might give you $6 million, and they get $20 million off their taxes.”
DuBuisson recommended that the board hold a joint meeting with county commissioners, who would spearhead the application process, so everyone could receive the same information.
“Everybody has to work together on this to sort of support the paperwork essentially, which is extensive,” said DuBuisson.
Satterfield asked whether pieces of the old L.J. Bell building could be salvaged and incorporated into the new facility to honor the school’s history. Dennis said she recently worked on a project that featured a wall made from salvaged bricks.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Ferrell said Cameron Whitley, executive director of communications, is working on plans to honor the current building.
“And so all of that is in the works,” Ferrell said, noting the district is exploring “multiple ways through a visit with the community and things similar to what Ashley [Dennis] has just described.”
In addition, Steven King, director of construction, maintenance and planning, provided construction updates, including work at the former Ninth Grade Academy, which is being converted into a temporary L.J. Bell Elementary School while the new facility is built.
“It’s got all the moving done except the cafeteria tables. They’ll be moved tomorrow. All the interior work’s done… painting, floors, just you know, all the things. We still got whiteboards, corkboards and some code hooks to put up. They’ll be going up in the next couple of weeks, fencing on playgrounds. Child nutrition’s been in the kitchen checking out all their equipment, cleaning everything good—the freezers and coolers. Transportation’s been adjusting the bus routes for those schools.”
King said the next stakeholder meeting is scheduled for July 16.
“We’ve had basically monthly meetings with all the directors, everybody involved and just make sure we don’t miss anything. So at that time, the rooms will be set up and everything should be good to go,” King said.
King also said the Rockingham Middle School auditorium renovation project is underway. Seats were removed June 3. Painting is scheduled to begin the week of June 8, followed by concrete floor resurfacing the week of June 22, installation of new seating the week of July 6 and carpet replacement the week of July 27.
King reported that the Richmond Senior High School partial roof replacement project has been completed.
He also said surveying for the new L.J. Bell project has been completed. Upcoming steps include geotechnical planning; Moseley schedule and due diligence work; schematic design, which remains on hold pending the auditorium decision; evaluation of mechanical systems; relocation of the pod playground to Mineral Springs Elementary School; and removal of fencing, Pre-K playground items and salvageable building components.
King shared that the new L.J. Bell facility will have individual HVAC unit systems in each classroom.
“We had a company come down and bring a mobile unit to demonstrate one of the HVAC systems that we’re contemplating putting in. So basically, each classroom would have its own HVAC unit… that would control heat and cool per room and just give us a lot more flexibility.”
King said there would still be some rooftop or package units. He said the proposed system would avoid the risks associated with a boiler or chiller system, where one failure could affect the entire facility.
“This way, chances are you would never lose more than one classroom or two at the most at a time,” King said.
King also noted that East Rockingham Elementary School will have a Pre-K classroom for the first time.
“They moved one of the Pre-K classes from Monroe Avenue, going to be moving it to East Rockingham. So the classroom is set up. We’re having to install some fencing out back, a little covered shed, and some playground equipment,” King said.
King said state officials will conduct Pre-K inspections at East Rockingham Elementary, Mineral Springs Elementary and L.J. Bell before the start of the school year.
The board also voted to declare the James Building surplus property.
“We’ll offer it to the county. If the county doesn’t want it, then we can decide how we’re going to sell or dispose of it,” King said.