Fulton County schools in "below average" condition or worse are slated for replacement or renovation in a plan proposed by school district leaders.
McClarin High School, Riverwood High School, Crabapple Middle School and Conley Hills Elementary are deemed to "not be economically viable to renovate due to age and other physical and site restrictions," and are recommend to be replaced in the school district's proposed capital improvement plan for the next five years.
Also as part of the plan, four new schools would be constructed to provide classroom space based on current or projected overcrowding: STEM-focused high schools in north and south Fulton and a new elementary school in the south; and a fourth school to address potential growth “in areas where specific need has not yet been identified.”
Details of the plan were presented at a Fulton school board meeting Tuesday. The board is expected to vote on it at a meeting Thursday. School leaders have surveyed parents and held several community meetings in January on the plan.
In previous years, capital plans have been financed using SPLOST (special-purpose local option sales tax) funds. Fulton County voters are expected to consider a SPLOST V referendum in May, school leaders say; projects listed would be commissioned starting in fiscal year 2017. Education SPLOST funds in Georgia are primarily used for technology in schools and supporting capital projects such as new school buildings, renovations and upgrades.
Fulton’s plan identifies projects and equipment purchases, provides a planning schedule and suggests options for financing the work, including SPLOST funds. Projected construction and renovation costs for the 5-year plan would be close to $475 million, with another nearly $500 million to fund technology expansion, transportation and other projects.
Fulton identified nearly one in five buildings owned by the school district, including 12 schools, in "below average" condition or worse. The list includes support and administrative offices where students do not attend. The buildings are not considered unsafe but can have problems from leaky roofs to old heating and cooling systems to subpar plumbing, according to Fulton officials.
At least six buildings are considered to be in “very poor” condition. Renovating or replacing those is part of the plan.
Of the 97 campuses and administrative and support facilities assessed, 76 were considered in “average” condition or better.
Fulton is the fourth-largest school system in Georgia, with approximately 96,000 students.
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