Community News
BOE members updated on new primary school.
By Dave Whitaker
Mar 4, 2020, 17:55

Board of Education members received an update on the new primary school Tuesday night in what was a planned work session that was also turned into a called meeting to deal with personnel matters Tuesday night. In attendance were Lyndy Jones and Jack Lloyd from construction management firm JCI Contracts as well as Leah Jones from Altman + Barrett Architects.

Lloyd presented the current estimate for construction of the new primary school. The cost of $23,508,756 covers just the construction of the school. It doesn’t include asbestos removal or demolition of the current site. While the current projection is six percent over budget, that was due to unexpected costs such as having to replace soil on the site.

Jones said the initial estimates should come down once the sub-contractors (IE: the landscaper, electrician) present their bids. Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith said they hoped to be able to “share the wealth” by using the construction manager process, allowing as many local businesses and skilled workers to work on the project. The plan is to have an open forum in April to allow bids to be presented. JCI would then present a guaranteed maximum price by May 1.

Leah Jones presented updated renderings of the school’s outside that were done to provide value-engineered savings. The revised plans have been submitted to the Georgia Department of Education Facilities Division for approval.

Following the group’s departure, there was a discussion of bond financing for the local bonds that were approved when voters approved the ESPLOT last year. A vote to issue the bonds will be taken at the March 17 meeting. Raymond James Financial will underwrite the bonds. Funds are expected in early April.

Neither of the personnel moves taken in executive session involved public officials (IE: coaches, principals.)


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