By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@TheCitizenNews.com

A price tag of approximately $63 million was attached to the proposed bond referendum for school construction and renovation Wednesday night by the Fayette County Board of Education. The referendum will be on the Nov. 7 ballot in the general election.

The funds will cover the construction of three elementary schools totaling about $28 million; one new high school, approximately $29.8 million; land acquisition, $3 million; and a number of renovations and modifications at nine existing schools, about $8 million.

The board voted in favor of the plan 5-0 after discussing four different options.

Compiled by the school district’s administrative staff, Option A cost an estimated $66 and included all the items in the chosen $63 plan plus $2 million for renovations in the physical education facilities at McIntosh High School.

Option B was the one selected by the board. Its original cost was to be about $65 million, but the board agreed to cut out the energy management modifications at 10 schools in order to save $2 million.

Option C, an estimated $55 million, included land costs, three elementary schools and one high school. Option D, at $29 million, covered only land costs and the construction of three elementary schools.

School Superintendent Dr. John DeCotis said he felt like the figures were “in the right area,” based on information and numbers provided by the board-appointed facilities advisory and action committees and input from architects and contractors.

All information must be submitted to the local election board by Sept. 5 for the referendum to be placed on the November ballot.
School finance director Jim Stephens will now contact bond dealers to secure the best estimates for the proposal. The board will meet Monday at 8 a.m. to review recommendations.

Board Chairman Debbie Condon first suggested going with Option A, which included a $2 million renovation of McIntosh High School’s limited gymnasium and physical education facilities. The board backed off the plan to include the gym expansion, and instead agreed to make it a priority on their list of improvements to be paid for through other sources, such as maintenance and operation funds.

”I’m so afraid that one little thing will hurt us from passing the bond,” noted board member Connie Hale, recalling last year’s failure of the special-purpose local option sales tax, which some people believe was voted down because it funded athletic facilities.

Both Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Stuart Bennett and Facilities Director Mike Satterfield lobbied for the rewiring, citing the need for it as “an equity issue for instruction” and “from a safety standpoint.”

Some older schools have only two electrical outlets in each classroom, Satterfield pointed out, making it necessary for teachers to string together outlets for multiple computer use. “The electrical upgrades are needed most,” he said, as compared to lighting upgrades and other miscellaneous improvements.

Under the current plan, the nine schools to receive modifications include McIntosh, East Fayette Elementary, Brooks Elementary, Peachtree City Elementary, Fayetteville Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Huddleston Elementary, Tyrone Elementary and North Fayette Elementary. These improvements cover rewiring, handicap accessibility, bathroom improvements, kitchen improvements and some new ceilings.

Following the vote, board member Mickey Littlefield said, ”Our first responsibility is to the children of this county and our second responsibility is to the taxpayer. We have listened.”
Board members-elect Janet Smola and Terri Smith supported the board’s vote.

“You did the right thing,” Smith said. Smola called the board’s decision “prudent.”

Board members Woody Shelnutt, Hale and Condon will step down at the end of the year. Hale, who was defeated in the primary runoff added, “I may not be here, but I’ll be watching,” in regard to how the referendum plays out.