WHITE COUNTY, Ga- Rod Nix presented the board of education with the upcoming construction plans for the new developments happening in the school system at their work session on October 26.

Rod Nix explained the construction plans and timelines to the board.

Rod Nix from Charles Black Construction presented the board with construction plans for the new football field, baseball field, the new transportation building, and the new roof and HVAC system for Tesnatee Gap elementary school. He also talked briefly about construction going on at the practice field beginning on June 22 which could impact the new football field.

He explained to the board the options for when they could move forward with putting in the new turf for the football field. The first option was to being work on the turf in February.

Under this plan, the field would be done in time for the community to see it on graduation. Soccer and Track would be displayed for part of their season under this plan but they would still be able to use the fields at the middle school.

The second option is to wait till after graduation to begin working on the turf for the field. This plan overlaps with the construction taking place at the practice field.

If this plan goes forward then the football team and band will have nowhere to practice. The field should be finished before the first football game if this is how the board moves forward.

“There are so many things to figure out, we tried to work and figure out the way to do it so that the least number of people can be inconvenienced,” explained Superintendent Laurie Burkett.

Construction on the new baseball field should be finished by January. However, due to the proximity to the softball field softball will be displaced for one season. The roof and HVAC unit for Tesnatee Gap are set to be bid on November 11, but there is a possible delay in the roofing materials.

The transportation building is also facing a possible delay due to materials at this time. The hope is to put the project up for bid in November. Nix projected that all construction should be done by August 2024.

Assistant Superintendent Scott Justice gave the board this month’s ESPLOST request. The request is for $295,890.00. It is broken down between White County High School Theater Department, the Athletics Department, Technology, and Student Services.

The theater department needs $920.00 for a new band saw and air compressor. Athletics needs $8,200.00 for weight room bumper plates. Technology needs $282,420.00 for tech rotation at Tesneatee Gap, and Student Services needs $4,350.00 for a patient lift to assist students in wheelchairs.

The construction projects and ESPLOST will be voted on at the board meeting on October 28 at 6:00 p.m. Other items that will be voted on are field trips and dispositions. To view other items on the agenda for that meeting visit https://www.white.k12.ga.us/board-of-education/board-of-education-meetings/tentative-boe-meeting-agenda

Superintendent Laurie Burkett gave an update on the graduation rate. It has increased from 93.57% to 93.77%. The graduation rate for students with disabilities in the 5-year cohort group is 100%.

Superintendent Laurie Burkett delivering her reports to the board.

“We are really doing a great job, all of our high school administators they do a great job of not letting a kid fall through the cracks,” commented Burkett.