Turner: Construction could start on new school in Sept.

Perquimans County’s new intermediate school is estimated to cost $61 million and could begin construction as early as September, the school superintendent said this week.

Dr. Tanya Turner told the Perquimans Board of Commissioners on Monday that the actual date for breaking ground on the school would be dependent on several pending matters.

The superintendent said Hite Associates of Greenville has completed the design for the new school. Next steps, she said, include advertising the school’s design plans with prospective construction bidders. Construction contracts would be written in August, allowing school officials to schedule a groundbreaking date. Construction is projected to be completed in 18 months or less, and the district would occupy the building in the second quarter of 2026 before the start of the new school year in August of that year.

The biggest matter still to be decided is funding. Currently, the Perquimans County Schools has $36.9 million in grants and state appropriations for the new school that will replace Hertford Grammar School and Hertford Middle School. Perquimans commissioners bought 80 acres in Winfall in August 2023 for $900,000 on which to build the new school that will be for students in grades 3-8.

Options for raising the remaining $24 million needed include securing additional state grant funds or borrowing money.

Commissioners discussed the challenges of finding a low interest rate to finance any funds borrowed for the school. Until that money is on hand, they noted, the timeline for the new school is subject to change.

Commissioners assured Turner that they want to complete the school in a timely manner but they also want the school to be built at a reasonable cost. That’s because taxpayers will ultimately be responsible for paying back any money borrowed to pay for the school.

Commissioner Tim Corprew didn’t rule out a delayed ground-breaking date.

“I understand you all are (looking) to getting that construction started in September but we’ve got obligations to get the best deal we can,” he told Turner. “If it takes an extra 60 to 90 days to get the best deal, that’s what we have to do.”

The $61 million price tag for the school includes $5.8 million in costs for design, engineering, and construction administration; site and environmental studies; and equipment and furniture.

According to Hite Associates’ report, some of the big-ticket items in the new school include $2,760,00 for design engineering and construction administration; $1,103,558 for progress contingency; $700,000 for classrooms, library and cafeteria furnishings; $600,000 for integrated communications, equipment and technology; and $300,000 for science and STEM lab equipment.