Construction plans for elementary schools approved

The Howard County Board of Education approved plans for construction projects at Stevens Forest and Phelps Luck elementary schools at its meeting Thursday, Sept. 22.

The projects include 100-seat additions at each of the Columbia schools as well as plumbing upgrades, new electrical systems, new roofs and full handicapped accessibility.

The Stevens Forest project also includes 25 additional parking spaces. The school, which opened in 1972, has a capacity of 333 and a current enrollment of 302 students. Stevens Forest is expected to absorb students from Talbott Springs Elementary School during the proposed 2013 redistricting.

The Phelps Luck project will include construction of a multi-purpose room and the parking lot will be expanded by an additional 30 spaces.

Built in 1971, Phelps Luck has a capacity of 540 students and a current enrollment of 671.

Work at Stevens Forest is expected to cost $16.4 million. Work at Phelps Luck is expected to cost $20 million.

Construction at Phelps Luck is expected to be completed by August 2013 and at Stevens Forest by December 2013.