Manassas, Va. — Construction on the new Jennie Dean Elementary School continues to progress, with completion slated for the summer of 2026 and students entering the new building in the fall.
As construction has continued on the new school, the workforce has steadily increased, said Craig Gfeller, the division’s deputy superintendent. There are roughly 120 workers on site daily.
From a site-work perspective, Gfeller said, work on the building is currently focused on advancing stormwater management systems.
Administrative and kindergarten wings are nearly full dry-in, meaning work on the drywall and construction on the inside has begun. Progress has also been made on the exterior of the building, with some “final brick” and “facade” materials being installed.
“This is an important stage, where the community can increasingly see the identity of the new school coming together,” Gfeller said.
Priorities moving forward include completing the dry-in areas across the full building, advancing interior finishes and monitoring the schedule as winter weather continues to unfold.
The project remains on time and budget. The School Board approved the contract for the new school in late 2024, awarding the bid to Howard Shockey & Sons for over $46.6 million. The figure is significantly lower than the roughly $62 million the division initially budgeted for the project.
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Source: Inside NoVa, article by Emily Seymour