In a recent decision marked by divided opinions, the Cobb Board of Education has sanctioned the hiring of a construction manager for the forthcoming special events facility within the Cobb County School District. Despite not achieving unanimity, the board voted 5-2 in favor of the district’s proposal to enlist Winter Construction Co. of Atlanta to oversee the project’s construction.
This facility, slated to be situated adjacent to the district’s central office on Glover Street, aims to accommodate a multitude of district-related special events, including graduations, among others.
The estimated cost for this endeavor stands at a substantial $50 million, with Winter Construction set to receive approximately 0.8 percent of this amount, equating to roughly $400,000. The initial investment in the property, greenlit by the school board in December, amounted to $3 million.
Funding for the project will be drawn from the Cobb Education-IV Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). While the managerial aspect has been settled, a separate vote on the construction project itself is scheduled for a later date. The anticipated completion date for the facility is slated for the year 2026.
However, dissenting voices within the board, notably from members Becky Sayler and Nichelle Davis, expressed reservations during the proceedings. Sayler, representing Post 2 in the Smyrna area, raised concerns regarding the lack of comprehensive details provided to the board.
She emphasized the absence of clarity on crucial aspects such as feasibility, cost savings, budget implications, maintenance, and staffing costs. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, while acknowledging Sayler’s concerns, iterated that such specifics would only materialize upon the receipt of construction bids.
Sayler, the sole dissenter in a previous decision regarding the project, reiterated her stance, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in such significant financial endeavors.
Despite the dissent, the board pressed forward with its decision, albeit amidst ideological divides. Notably, a subsequent vote about alterations in the district’s fiscal management procedures showcased a stark partisan contrast.
The board voted 4-3 along party lines to modify the framework, removing the requirement for board approval on budget transfers. Critics of this move voiced apprehensions regarding the consolidation of financial authority within the superintendent’s purview.
However, proponents, including Superintendent Ragsdale and district officials, contended that the adjustment would streamline processes without compromising accountability. A motion by Sayler to subject financial transfers to board approval failed, echoing the prevailing party lines.
In parallel developments, the board also ratified a $6 million construction contract awarded to R.K. Redding Construction, Inc. of Bremen. This contract pertains to HVAC, door hardware, plumbing enhancements, and restroom renovations at Shallowford Falls Elementary School in East Cobb.
The project, slated for completion by July 2025, underscores the district’s commitment to infrastructural upgrades across its educational institutions.
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Amidst these institutional deliberations, the district announced a series of staff retirements, notably including that of Leetonia Young, principal of East Cobb Middle School. Effective June 30, Young’s retirement marks the culmination of a dedicated tenure spanning back to 2004, during which she served as both a teacher and administrator within the Cobb County School District.