Construction Speed No Longer Saves Schools

The large savings that once were common for construction projects are no longer there, causing SPLOST Chief Administrative Officer Doug Shepard to modify the use of the plan for accelerated SPLOST construction projects.

The Cobb County Board of Education will listen to the administration’s proposal during its monthly work session at 8:30 a.m. today in the Central Office boardroom at 514 Glover St.

“We’re not seeing the savings in the current construction market that we’ve observed in the past,” Shepard told Patch.

In October 2010, the board approved accelerating SPLOST III projects to take advantage of construction costs driven down by the recession. The plan was to be funded through 2013.

Over the summer, the district completed 16 projects costing more than $10.3 million and saved $724,000 on the accelerated schedule, Shepard reported.

He said four projects remain to be awarded as part of the accelerated plan. The $14 million Ninth Grade Center at leads the list, followed by $1 million in renovations to , a $176,000 renovation to and a $200,000 second driveway for .

The is set to break ground in the spring and be completed by fall 2013; the other projects will be done next summer, Shepard said.

The board will discuss 10 other action agenda items today, including four easement agreements, purchasing 52 support vehicles for $1.7 million, and five construction projects:

• The new Smyrna elementary school for $17.9 million.
• Additions and renovations to for $3.9 million.
• Modifications to for $2.9 million.
• Additions and renovations to for $1.7 million.
• Softball/baseball restrooms, concessions and storage buildings at and high schools for $400,000 total.

Shepard said the Allatoona and Hillgrove projects are aimed at bringing the district's two newest high schools up to the standards of the school system and neighboring systems.

“Since we still have SPLOST II funds available, we’re committed to do those improvements,” Shepard said.

The district has $21 million in SPLOST II money left, but Chief Financial Officer Mike Addison tentatively budgeted $20.4 million of that surplus to buy down the millage rate in the fiscal 2013 budget.

Board of Education member David Banks of Northeast and East Cobb’s Post 5 wants to use the leftover SPLOST II money to give all school district employees a 1 percent bonus.

“This is to get relief right now,” Banks said. “If I thought no money was available, I never would’ve raised this issue, but I believe there is available funds.”

Addison said the district’s reserve account had just under $80 million as of its last audited financial statement at the end of June 2010, but he said the district holds at least one month’s worth of expenses—approximately $70 million—for cash flow.

Addison said the last raise employees received was in fiscal 2009, approved in June 2008.

“I don’t think it’s financially advisable to do something like this,” Addison said of Banks' proposal. “We’re facing a $72.2 million shortfall next year in our budget at this point. I would love to see our employees get a bonus as much as anyone because it has been a very long time. But, again, it’s not prudent right now.”

Also today, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa will share a proposal for principal hiring. Banks said the plan features a committee that prospective principals would appear before to assess their verbal and leadership skills, as well as other intangibles.

“It’s taking out the biases, the buddy system, who knows who,” Banks said. “It’s based more on skill sets, ability to communicate, who you are and why you should be a principal. People you work with, you give more bias; it kind of eliminates that bias.”