School Board to ask county for $500,000 increase to CIP

January 24, 2002

School Board to ask county for $500,000 increase to CIP

By TARA REILLY

A $500,000 increase to the Washington County Board of Education's proposed Capital Improvement Plan would move up construction of an addition to Fountain Rock Elementary School by a year and make room on the plan for renovations to Fountaindale Elementary School, Dennis McGee, the School Board's director of facilities management said Tuesday.

The School Board is asking the Washington County Board of Commissioners for the increase, which would bring the county's yearly contribution to the Capital Improvement Plan to $5 million. The county currently gives the School Board $4.5 million annually toward the plan, which covers fiscal years 2003 to 2008.

Commissioner President Gregory I. Snook on Tuesday said the county would consider the increase in 30 to 60 days, after further review of the plan. He said the $500,000 request sounded "reasonable."

McGee said Wednesday a higher local contribution would allow the county to compete for more state funds. He said the competition this year might be tough, however, because the state has slashed school construction money from $250 million to $146 million for 2003.

The school system's six-year Capital Improvement Plan includes the following major renovations:

--2002: Williamsport Elementary School

--2003: Salem Avenue Elementary School

--2004: Maugansville Elementary School

--2006: Bester Elementary School

--2007: Pangborn Elementary School

--2008: Fountaindale Elementary School

All of the major renovations would cost between $10 million and $12 million, according to the proposed plan. The projects include the additions of classrooms, new gyms and music and art rooms.

McGee said the schools on the list are aging and not up to new school codes.

"They just lack a lot compared to the modern schools," he said.

Fountain Rock is on the schedule to receive a new cafeteria, kitchen and two classrooms to replace two portables on the school site. Construction on the project would begin in 2006, under the tentative plan.

McGee said the plan can be modified at any time, depending on School Board approval.

"Things are subject to change," he said.

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