School district unveils $31.3M capital plan for next five years
By Tim Callahan
Timcallahan01@aol.com
The economy and budget cuts didn't stop the Georgetown County School District from unveiling last week a $31.3 million Capital Improvements Plan through 2014.
Among the many proposed construction items listed are additions at Kensington Elementary School, Waccamaw High School, Maryville and McDonald elementary schools, and an additional gym/multi-purpose room at Georgetown High School.
By far the most money ($16.03 million) would be spent for Georgetown schools. Another $5.2 million would be spent at schools in Andrews; $2.38 million in Carvers Bay; $6.02 million in Waccamaw Neck; and $1.56 million in the district.
However, there might be no added costs to the public for the projects as most of the funding will come from debt service, which currently stands at about 26 mills, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Randy Dozier.
Debt service is used to fund construction and capital costs and is separate from school general fund millage which is slated to increase to 4.2 mills in the proposed 2009-2010 budget. It is currently at 94.7 mills. This millage is assessed to secondary residences and businesses.
"The money is already there," Dozier said. "We are just projecting it out." He added that the school board could cut debt service millage if they wanted, but the administration is using the current millage to make projections.
Dozier said the capital projects plan is comprehensive and includes everything the schools and district office thinks needs to be done, but the plan probably will be pared down, and definitely prioritized, by the board of education.
Another source of project funding could include zero interest loans, he said.
Some of the projected costs include: $18 million for construction; $2.9 million for roofs; $1.65 million for paving; $1.15 million for technology; more than $800,000 for HVAC and lighting/sound; and $644,700 for athletics.
Purchasing manager Lisa Ackerman presented the plan to the school board on Tuesday.
School board chairman James Dumm suggested the district make the plan available to the public online. Superintendent of Schools Randy Dozier said the district could do this.
As the comprehensive plan was just presented to school board members, they will now take some time to go over it before their June 2 meeting.
The first five-year plan was presented in 1998-1999, Dozier said.