New Middle School is Ahead of Schedule;
Will Provide Relief for Overcrowding

By Margaret Lipman (November 5, 2004) 

Unless you’ve been living under a very, very large rock for the past six months, you’ve undoubtedly become aware that construction on the new middle school is now fully underway and progressing well.

Our hallways are abuzz with discussions about the current state of the athletic fields, the changes to the parking lots, and the addition of the eighth grade to George Mason High School.  We’ve all seen the huge machinery removing literally tons of dirt and laying down foundations and structural steel.  We’ve noticed the dozens of construction workers diligently erecting what will soon be Falls Church City’s newest educational facility and its only middle school.  But there is really a lot more to building a brand-new school than meets the eye. Mr. Bob Jones is the site’s construction manager and owner’s representative.  He is responsible for monitoring the school system’s interests, inspecting the construction work, and overseeing contract administration.

All three floors of the new middle school have been constructed over the last few months.  Although the photo displays only the building's steel girders,  major bricking will soon be underway (Photo by Bob Jones)

Taking time out of his busy schedule, Mr. Jones cordially agreed to an interview about the current status of construction and the various concerns that go into building a new school.

Before construction on the school’s foundations could even be started, over 2,500 truckloads of dirt had to be removed.  Surprisingly, the construction location once served as a fill site until about 50 years ago.  While removing the tons of dirt, a stack of newspapers from 1957 (still completely readable!) and the remnants of a 1940’s or 1950’s car frame (complete with flat-head engine and transmission!) were also unearthed.

As of this week, the 130,000 sq.-ft. building is twenty-five percent complete. On any given day, between 60 and 80 construction workers will be on the location.  This winter, as many as 120 workers could be on the site.  The school’s foundations and its steel framework are securely in place; its major concrete work is also nearing completion.  The building’s structural steel is now being fireproofed, and masons, electricians, and plumbers are all currently working on the school.  Major bricking will began within the next several weeks. 

“It seems like it crawls along really slowly…the steel jumps up, and then the bricks, and then it seems like nothing’s happening…but everything’s going on inside,” said Mr. Jones, who is very well-qualified for his position and responsibilities.  He has a BA in architecture and a Master’s degree in construction management.    

Construction is actually nearly three weeks ahead of schedule – no small feat for a project of this size.  The school is set to open for students on September 5^th, 2005.  The building is three floors and will be attended by fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students.  As everyone knows, the eighth grade class will be joining the high school. The building is projected to comfortably hold over 600 students – there are currently 416 students enrolled in the fifth through seventh grades.  According to the best estimates, the school will accommodate the growing student population well beyond 2012.  

The new middle school stands 44-feet above ground, and reaches 15 feet below ground.  The seventh grade classes will occupy the second floor, and the fifth and sixth grade classes will be on the third floor.  Each grade level will have eight classrooms and two additional science classrooms.  In addition to a full-scale gymnasium and a large library, the school will have a “cafetorium” – a cafeteria with performing arts facilities in the rear.  The school is being built with several “green elements” -- construction materials designed to be more environmentally friendly.  The carpets, paints, and adhesives are all designed to be low in emissions; the school’s flooring will be almost completely linoleum; and its roof is going to be equipped with additional insulation.

 This $24.9 million project ($18.5 million going towards construction) is the first public/private partnership of its kind in Virginia.  The project’s developer, the Public-Private Alliance, was contracted by the school board and guaranteed a maximum price for the project.  Any leftover funds will be split between the school system and the developer.  Clark Construction and Beery Rio Associates are the general contractors and architects on the project, respectively.  

“So far, they are doing an excellent job, “Mr. Jones said of Clark Construction.  “They’re hiring good subcontractors and pushing to stay on schedule.”

There are currently 20 trailers being used as classrooms in Falls Church City Public Schools and class sizes continue to increase.  In our high school, at least, the congested hallways are always inconvenient.  Hopefully, the addition of a new middle school to the FCCPS system will really help to stop the problem of overcrowding.  One thing’s for sure, though, we’ll never be known as “George Mason Middle School and High School” again.