Burke County Public Schools now accepting bids for new school

After years of delays caused by everything from Hurricane Helene to troublesome soil conditions, Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) is moving closer to breaking ground on a $66.7 million elementary school in Hildebran, with construction expected to begin as early as December.

The school system began accepting bids Thursday for site work on the proposed New Eastern Elementary School, according to BCPS Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler. Construction could begin in December or January.

“This school represents a long-term investment in our students, families, and community, and our goal is to provide a safe, high-quality learning environment comparable to our newest school in western Burke County,” said Superintendent Mike Swan. “We are grateful to our county partners, school board, architect, and contractor for their collaboration and commitment to making this vision a reality while navigating rising construction costs and the unique challenges of the site.”

Shuffler said estimates shot up from $250 per square foot of new construction in 2021 to $450 per square foot now.

“We are still working through some cost-saving measures in the development and design phase to bring down the overall cost of the project,” Shuffler said. “Dr. Swan and the county manager regularly talk about that process. If the need arises, it could go before both boards to work out additional funding.”

Earlier this year, contractors discovered the soil on the site could not support the foundations needed for the two-story school, resulting in costly remediation that added nearly $12 million to the overall price.

The new school will replace the Hildebran and Icard elementary schools, both of which are more than 50 years old.

Shuffler said the new school will have 40 classrooms with an 800-student capacity, a full-size gym and auditorium, a football field, and two baseball fields.

Because $42 million of the funding was awarded from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund through the NC Education Lottery, there is a deadline for the district to break ground. That deadline is Feb. 15, 2027.

If the school district cannot meet the deadline, the grant money would have to be returned, and the new school would not be built.