BY MATTHEW WARD/SUFFOLK NEWS-HERALD
matthew.ward@suffolknewsherald.com

HOLLAND—A new elementary school serving Suffolk’s Holland area could open by mid-June 2014.

Duane Harver, chief executive officer for RRMM Architects, recently shared design plans for the 700-pupil school at Holland and Pioneer roads, replacing two nearby aging schools.

Pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first and second grades would be on the first floor, and third, fourth and fifth grades on the second floor. Special education classrooms would be on both levels.

The plan includes learning nooks, a media center, gymnasium and lunchroom.

“A partition between the gym and the cafetorium can be raised, and they can be used together,” Harver said.

The school would include 70 parking spaces initially, an area set aside for future parking spaces, overflow parking, hard-surface play areas, and space for field games, soccer and softball fields.

The proposed design is almost identical to Hillpoint Elementary.

“It’s very similar,” said Harver, responding to a question from board member Phyllis Byrum. “Some of the classrooms have been taken out.”

The entrance design could change, Harver indicated.

“We are still working on details for that entryway, but this is what we generally anticipate the look to be,” he said.

The new school would require alterations to Pioneer Road.

“On Pioneer Road there will certainly be some development of that road, to allow access in and out of this site, that is not presently there,” he said.

The closing date for the land transfer is June 29, said district spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw.

The project schedule sets out final completion of the early site by Oct. 26, awarding of the construction contract by Nov. 15, and substantial project completion by May 15, 2014.

Harver described the construction schedule as “fairly comfortable,” with “plenty of time to get furnishings together and move in.”