The Blue Ridge school district's Mansfield facility project has really picked up steam is moving forward.

The Board of Education recently hosted a couple of events that saw very good community support. Superintendent of Blue Ridge Schools, Susan Wilson explains almost 50 community members showed up to participate in the 'Visioning Team' meetings, which provided input on the initial design of the addition to Blue Ridge Jr. High, which will replace Mansfield Elementary. Wilson notes almost half of the close to 50 community members then took part in the 'Planning Team', which provided further help to refine initial plans and put together an initial design that went before the B.R. Board of Education in October.

[audio:mansfieldprogress1.mp3]A Word From Wilson[/audio]

The next step will be to move into the 'Schematic Phase', at which point a small Core Team, which will be made up of 2 Board of Education members, the architects and the construction manager. Wilson notes the 'Planning Team' will also be involved for consultation as well.

[audio:mansfieldprogress2.mp3]A Word From Wilson[/audio]

Wilson notes she was not too sure how the community engagement process would turn out. But she says the more the process played itself out, she could see it working and was excited with the way things were turning out.

[audio:mansfieldprogress3.mp3]A Word From Wilson[/audio]

The goal for the district is to have ground breaking in June of 2012 and to move in, in August of 2013. Wilson notes it is a tight timeline but the hope is to take advantage of the low interest rates and excellent bidding environment in the construction industry to get the most from their money.