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At the regular Simpson County School Board meeting Thursday night, November 12th, the proposed plans for the new Magee Elementary were displayed for the board.
The plans actually leave open one or two options: a complete build out or a build out with modular classrooms. As with everything, the decision comes back to money. Dwyane Fewell, explained that to attain everything desired and needed for the building of the school and improvements made to other campus, the cost will be closer to $13 million, rather than $12 million, and the $13 million is cutting it “razor thin” to obtain all goals. Due to 16th section leases and savings in other areas the $13 million should be available…but no wiggle room after that.
Plans are for bids to be taken in February…and the building of the school will take approximately 14 months giving a projected opening date of August 2017.
The plans approved by the board allow for the school to be built under one roof. If monies are available, kindergarten through fourth grade will be housed in permanent classrooms. If the “numbers” just will not work, modular classrooms will be constructed under roof. The third and fourth grades will be housed in the modular classrooms.
The plan also includes a library, multi –purpose room, cafeteria, and two computer labs. The present elementary school has 3 computer labs, but with the new plans and based on an enrollment of 875 there would be 4 empty classrooms. One of these rooms would be available for an additional computer lab.
Each grade will have 7 classrooms. An 8’ privacy fence will be build around the back of the campus. A 5’ foot security fence will be constructed inside the 8’ fence area to join the cafeteria allowing for an additional monitored area for outdoor exercise.
There will be one entry to the school. Students arriving by car will unload at the front of the building (3 lanes) and the bus students will unload on the left side of the building. This plans allows for minimum interaction between busses and cars.
The campus is 150 feet from the center of the railroad track. The only issue with the RR has been the strict understanding that the school cannot construct or get into the RR property line.
Anyone entering the school will be “buzzed” in the office/administration area. There are doors blocking entrance into the section of the building that houses students. Security issues are being maintained in many areas of the building.
Behind the school is a 68 car parking lot that allows visitors to access the multi-purpose building without entering any other part of the building.
Students are under covered areas at all times as they move about campus. (to cafeteria etc).
Cameras will be located all over the outside and inside of the building with the feed most likely coming to the principal’s office.
An assistant principal will be in an area on each wing.
Joanna Maddox and Mr. Fewell reminded the board members that this was not a done deal. The bids must come in at a reasonable amount to achieve the goal.
Attached are the drawings of the school. One drawing will show everything under roof (permanent structure) and the other with modular classrooms.
Additional information is available on the recording of the Thursday night board meeting by MageeNews.com. We are attempting to “pull” the part of the film that deals with the building and post…just not so sure I can do that…but trying!
We are on the road…let’s just all stand united together as we reach the goal of a new Magee Elementary.
