$1.35 million addition to Goucher Elementary completed; awaiting board inspection

Furniture for the addition at Goucher Elementary is already in a few rooms waiting to be set up in the new classrooms. A 6-classroom addition to Goucher Elementary School will be ready for a final inspection by school board members in mid-May.

Contractor Sossamon Construction is currently correcting a few items before an occupancy permit is issued by the state Office of School Facilities, said Jim Britton, senior project manager for Southern Management. The school board's building committee will then be given a chance to do their inspection of the $1.35 million addition.

New furniture is already in a few rooms waiting to be set up in the classrooms, which are currently being wired for technology.

The new addition won't be used until next school year, principal Ashley Clary said.

"Our teachers' main focus right now is on getting ready for testing," Clary said. "We will begin utilizing the new classrooms next school year. Many of the teachers will want to spend time over the summer to set up their classrooms."

This is the third major school building project at Goucher Elementary in the past decade. Previous construction projects have resulted in a new office area, media center, multipurpose room and a 4-classroom addition.

Goucher has 216 students, according to Clary.

More students are expected next year with the school board's decision in March to shift some students from B.D. Lee and Northwest elementaries to the Goucher attendance area.

"We've had several parents come by to visit our school because they plan to send their children here," Clary said.