Helena High School opening delayed

March 29, 2012
Filed under Top Stories

Helena High School’s opening has recently been delayed due to inclement weather and soil issues.  With the mines on that land and the large amounts of soil that is being displaced, the ground needs more time to cure prior to construction on the actual buildings.

 “As a result of all of these factors, we will not be able to complete this project in time to open school for the 2013 -14 school year.  As hopeful as we have been, we are now looking at opening in August 2014,” said Tom Ferguson, Assistant Superintendent of Shelby County Schools.

 The Shelby County Board of Education and the City of Helena negotiated with U.S. Steel to obtain the land for the new high school.  After nine months of negotiations, the land was eventually purchased in November of 2011.  This lengthy negotiation put the land preparation later than planned.

 In a recent Shelby County Board of Education meeting held on March 28, Doster Construction Company was approved as general contractor for the new Helena High School.  Construction is expected to begin immediately, but the anticipated completion date of the school will be delayed by one year due to the process of property acquisition and site preparation issues.

 “We can report that we have a great contractor and a great location and we will all be happy to see the development of this wonderful facility in the coming months,” continued Ferguson.