Heavy rain delayed summer construction at Forest Oaks Elementary School on Hornet Parkway. Chelsea Intermediate School on Highway 39 is hosting classes for Forest Oaks students while construction is being completed. Photos by Katie Turpen.
With a new school year underway, more than 700 students in the Chelsea community are still waiting to access their new school building and take advantage of the facilities. Construction of Forest Oaks Elementary School on Hornet Parkway was halted earlier this summer when heavy rains prevented workers from completing the project on time.
“We’re still trying to catch up,” Shelby County Superintendent Randy Fuller said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience with these unforeseen circumstances.”
In early June, Fuller announced in a letter to parents that more than 50 days of construction were lost due to rainfall at the site that totaled approximately 100 inches. Although an opening date has not been set, workers are making progress on the construction of the facility, and Fuller has high hopes for the new school once it is complete.
“We are excited,” Fuller said. “It’s going to be a real neat facility.”
On Aug. 19, Forest Oaks students and faculty began classes at Chelsea Intermediate School, located just down the road from Forest Oaks on Highway 39, which was the original site of Chelsea Elementary School.
Fuller said a committee comprised of school officials, government leaders and parents decided on the name of the new school in August 2012. In February, the Shelby County Board of Education approved zoning changes for the three Chelsea elementary schools. Forest Oaks will be the third elementary school zoned for the Chelsea area, joining Mt Laurel and Chelsea Park Elementary.
The new school is part of an overall trend of growth in businesses and schools in the Chelsea community. Mayor Earl Niven said the city issued 170 new building permits in 2012. He is thrilled that a third school will be serving the children of the community.
“The new school is a direct result of growth in Chelsea both commercially and residentially,” said Niven. “We are very supportive and excited.”
To help accommodate the addition of a new school, Niven said the city has contributed $300,000 for the construction of a new road, Hornet Parkway, which connects to County Road 47. Fuller believes the new road will help with traffic circulation throughout Chelsea, especially during peak school hours.
“It will provide an additional point of access and enhance transportation in the area,” Fuller said.
When it opens, Forest Oaks Elementary School will serve 712 students in grades K-5 in a facility containing 50 classrooms. Fuller said the building must be able to pass all inspections before it can officially open as a safe learning environment for students.
The school will have a full-size competition gym, which was built in partnership with the City of Chelsea. Niven said the city donated $500,000 to the Board of Education to build the gym, anticipating that City of Chelsea youth activities could be held there.
Additionally, the school will have an art suite, music classroom, computer lab and electronically controlled access at the main gate.
Despite the delayed opening, school officials remain positive about a third elementary school serving the students of Chelsea, even if the transition is taking longer than expected.
“I am looking forward to a remarkable first year,” Principal Resia Brook said in a message to students and parents.
