The construction of a multi-purpose building at Eastern Elementary School is on schedule to be completed in May, according to Stanley Hudson, executive director of auxiliary services at Beaufort County Schools.

Hudson spoke to the Board of Education at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night to give updates on various construction projects around the county.

A.R. Chesson Construction Co. broke ground on the Eastern Elementary project in early December. The building will be located around the back of the school near the playground areas.

Hudson said the concrete footers, which spread out the weight of a structure over an area and are part of the foundation, have been poured at the site, and the laying of form boards is underway.

The construction hasn’t been without its obstacles, however, as Hudson said this winter season has seen more precipitation than others.

“There have been over 30 rain days that have affected these dates,” he said.

Will Gautier, project manager at A.R. Chesson, said in a previous interview that the company was chosen for the job through a public bidding process, which is required for the school district, and is expected to cost $806,605.

The multi-purpose building will be used for physical education (PE) classes, as well as school meetings, according to Eastern Elementary Principal Melissa Dana.

Dana said in an earlier interview that school staff is looking forward to having PE classes no matter what the weather because physical activity is an important part of children’s development and overall wellbeing.

“You don’t think of it as important to learn how to dribble, to skip. … It helps them to develop those (motor) skills,” she said.

In other news, Hudson also addressed construction projects at other schools, including the progress made on the Washington High School field house.

He said the field house’s exterior doors and roofing are complete, crews are working on installing the HVAC system, and workers hope to start installing plumbing next week.

Hudson said he estimates the field house project will be complete in less than two months.

The board’s permission was also requested to allow construction crews to test out cheaper, vinyl expansion joints at P.S. Jones Middle School, instead of the joints being installed now. Expansion joints protect a structure by absorbing the expansion or contraction of construction materials, as well as handling ground vibrations.

Superintendent Don Phipps said the board should stick with the original equipment chosen in December to avoid any problems with the construction company.

“If we don’t do that, then we’re going back on our word,” he said. “I think there’s some integrity in what we’re talking about.”

Board member Carolyn Walker agreed with Phipps and suggested that the rubber joints be tested during a future construction project.

The Board of Education decided to table further discussions of capital budget projects until its budget meeting on Monday.