New Howard Elementary work begins in spring; school building continues in Orangeburg County

Orangeburg County School District trustees received an update on the project earlier this month.

The 1,000-student school will replace the current Robert E. Howard Middle School at the corner of Chestnut Street and Belleville Road.

The existing middle school will be torn down after its students move to William J. Clark Middle School.

The 120,000-square-foot elementary school’s floor plan is being designed along the lines of the newly constructed East Lake Elementary School in the Holly Hill area.

The 93,000-square-foot first floor will include administration offices, a media center, pre-K and kindergarten classrooms, as well as the gym and cafeteria.

The 27,000-square-foot second floor will house first- through fifth-grade classrooms.

The entry rotunda will aim to highlight the history and colors of Mellichamp, Brookdale and Whittaker elementary schools, as well as colors from Howard.

The construction will be phased and will be separated from the existing school. Existing students will not be disturbed.

MB Kahn will be the general contractor.

It was announced in August that the school district received $40 million in state funding to build the new elementary school.

The school district had planned to renovate and convert the existing Robert E. Howard Middle School into an elementary school as part of the $190 million bond referendum approved by voters in November 2022.

With the state money, the district decided instead to build a new elementary school. The school will combine students currently learning at Brookdale, Mellichamp and Whittaker elementary schools.

In related matters, trustees were given a building update on the construction of the Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, East Lake Elementary School and Clark Middle School.

O-W High School

Storm drainage has been installed on the east side of the front parking lot and the west side of the football field at the new O-W on Cook Road.

Also, building corners have been laid out, door frames have been delivered and concrete will be installed, Assistant Superintendent for Operations Dr. Jesse Washington said.

The project is on schedule.

East Lake Elementary Schol

At the East Lake, painting has continued at the gym and common areas; door frames and windows have been installed; the building out of the rear parking lot has begun and painting has begun on the second floor.

Ductwork has also been installed in the administration area and ceiling framing has been done in the media center.

Clark Middle School

At Clark, the flooring has been completed, all the doors and hardware have been installed and the fire truck access road is being prepared. Also, all classroom floors are being waxed and furniture is being delivered.

The fire alarm installation will begin and the building is preparing for final inspection.

Trustees were told they will be able to take a tour of the building soon.