Last month's approval of a $1.2 million expenditure to build a gym at O.P. Evans Middle School in Newnan by the Coweta County Board of Education is still drawing criticism from the public.

During Tuesday night's meeting of the Coweta County Board of Education, resident Peter Skrmetti asked the board to stop favoring schools in Newnan and treat all schools equally.

“Thanks to gerrymandered districts and so-called at large members who cannot seem to remember that they represent the entire county, those of you from downtown Newnan create a solid majority of this board. All you have to do to unite this community on educational matters is treat everyone else as you treat your downtown neighbors,” said Skrmetti.

Skrmetti chastised the board for funding the gym at Evans and said the $1.2 million was more than the board has allocated over five years for athletic facilities at Northgate High School.

Another issue Skrmetti had a problem with is the board's failure to act on a proposed county-wide performing arts center.

In a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that was passed by Coweta voters two years ago, the school system promised a $5 million center would be built with the additional tax revenues.

But the board has recently said that revenues were not coming in as quickly as anticipated and only $65,000 would be available for the center.

At last month's board meeting, board member Smith Pass said the school system should consider working with another government entity to make the center a reality.

Skrmetti was pleased the board is now talking about the center, but reminded the board of a promise it made concerning the center.

“You promised this community a centrally located facility. Like other voters, I expect you to keep your promises, and like other voters, I realize that the population center of this county has now shifted to somewhere east of (Interstate 85) exit nine,” he said.

The board did not comment on any of Skrmetti's statements.

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