Minutes

Construction Advisory Committee Meeting

August 14, 2006

Committee Members met at Peeples Elementary School to view the finished renovations at the school, and at Rising Starr Middle School The members reintroduced themselves, and Dr. John DeCotis, Superintendent, mentioned that the Committee would now be chaired by Mr. Lee Davis, Comptroller of Fayette County Schools, after Mr. Fred Phillips’ retirement. Dr. DeCotis and Mr. Davis thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.

Dr. DeCotis gave a brief building /addition/renovations history of the buildings at the South Complex. He said that Peeples Elementary School had been approved by the Georgia Department of Education as a “prototype” school, and was originally built for 800 students, and is now at capacity. Rising Starr Middle School was originally smaller than the other middle schools in Fayette County, but the addition of the new classrooms has boosted their size to the same as our other middle schools in Fayette County.

Mr. Klaus Darnall, Construction Manager, and Mr. Davis reported on most recent FY2001 Bond updates at McIntosh High School. The old automotive program space is being reconfigured to house the construction class, and the old construction classroom will house the new health occupations program, and the construction on these projects is winding up.

Mr. Darnall and Mr. Davis reported on the FY2005 bond construction projects. Construction on Bennett’s Mill Middle School is ahead of schedule. Ninety percent of exterior brick and walls have been finished; 90% of the roof deck, and 40% of the final roof has been finished; and the trusses for the gym will soon be installed. Weather permitting, the school will be on schedule to be completed for August, 2007, however the contractor will try to finish construction before this date.

On the Rising Starr Middle School, Peeples Elementary School, and Spring Hill Elementary School additions, the renovations are virtually complete, with the exception of a few punch items. Some of the new classrooms have been reconfigured to accommodate smaller classes of special education children, and tile has been chosen for the flooring in these new classrooms. The gym air-conditioning projects have been completed at Flat Rock Middle School, Whitewater Middle School and East Fayette Elementary School. East Fayette also received new replacement air conditioning units. J. C. Booth Middle School has new ceiling tiles, lockers, and the kitchen is expected to be completed next week.

Sandy Creek High School has been updated with new bleachers in the gym; Starr’s Mill High School received fresh paint and new tile during the summer; and Fayette County High School is receiving new lights for the stadium. As part of these 2005 bond construction funds, McIntosh is in the process of receiving new roof HVAC units in the school, and air conditioning units in the gym, and has been updated with marker boards, and ceiling tile and grid panels for the ceiling.

For Fayette Middle School, reconfiguration of the kitchen and gym air conditioning documents have been submitted to the State and were approved, and the bid date for these projects is September 12, 2006. As well, the Brooks Elementary School project is progressing, and awaiting approval from the State. This renovation will include A/C units in the kitchen, a new roof for the gymnasium, modifications to the media center, new rooftop A/C units and an energy management system.

Mr. Lee Davis, Comptroller, next notified the Committee that the next bond financing will probably occur next summer, as bigger draws will become more prevalent with the finishing of the new middle school.

Committee members next toured the renovations at Peeples Elementary School and Rising Starr Middle School. They were impressed with the renovations, and found them very accommodating, functional and conductive to learning.

The meeting was adjourned. Dr. DeCotis thanked everyone for coming and stated that he hoped they enjoyed the meeting and the tour.