Wheeler High renovation contract approved

The renovation of Wheeler High School will proceed despite a price tag that is about $3 million more than budgeted.

The Cobb County School Board unanimously approved a $20,069,376 construction contract Thursday with Hogan Construction Group.

The school system had planned on a total project cost -- with architectural fees, furnishings and other items -- of $20.3 million, said Doug Shepard, a school system finance official. The price negotiated with Norcross-based Hogan, the lowest bidder, brings that total to $23.8 million, he said.