By Eric Althoff
FORTVILLE, Ind.—Structural engineering firm O’Donnell & Naccarato has topped out at the Mt. Vernon School District’s 151,000-square-foot Fortville Elementary School, which will serve nearly 1,000 students in grades K-4 when completed.
The $85 million two-story school will offer a media lab, flexible STEM lab, a dual-purpose cafeteria and the latest tech-enabled learning tools throughout.
O’Donnell & Naccarato is working with Indianapolis-based Ratio Architects on fashioning a steel structural system for the school, which will also feature braces and moment frames for added stability.
The school is due to open for the 2025-2026 school year.
“O&N is proud to partner with our colleagues and the Mt. Vernon School District to deliver this state-of-the-art project on time and within budget,” O&N Principal Tom Miltner said at the topping-out ceremony. “Students at Fortville Elementary will be equipped with the latest and greatest resources in an innovative space that promotes discovery and growth.”
O’Donnell & Naccarato’s previous structural engineering work for school-related projects in the state includes the McNutt Residence Center at Indiana University. In addition to Indianapolis, the firm operates from offices in Orlando, Philadelphia, New York and Miami.