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The Simpson County School Board met Thursday, January 23, 2020 for a special called meeting with The Bailey Group to discuss facility Assessments.
Previously, The Bailey Group held three community meeting where three options were presented to the public. Consolidation was a proposal. The full consolidation proved to be costly (approximately $70 Million for school and renovations at other sites). Consolidation does not seem to be the best option for the county at this time. Other options presented were to make improvements to all county schools. Restructure the elementary at Magee & Mendenhall to become a K-6. The Magee & Mendenhall middle school and high school to become one campus at each school. Repairs to Simpson Central are included in this proposal. The cost for this option would run around $30,000,000.
A new option (#5) was brought to the board’s attention several weeks ago. The possibility of purchasing the Pioneer Buildings located in Magee was presented. One building is 3-stories. An adjacent building is a 2-story building. The buildings are in good shape and could be renovated to become a 10-12 grade for a consolidated high school in Simpson County The board met with the Bailey Group at Pioneer and asked Bailey to bring back an assessment of what it would cost and the shape of the buildings. The building could potentially be purchased for $3.7 million dollars. The board entertained the idea of purchasing the buildings due to the excellent price. Purchasing the two building would allow Simpson County to have a state-of-the-art facility.
A round table discussion was held with each board member presenting their opinion on consolidation and use of the Pioneer buildings. Stacey Herrin advised she was against the consolidation due to the location and time travel for students to the new protentional location. Herrin was in favor of purchasing the buildings for a new Magee Middle and High school. Board member Patrice Boykin stated she was in favor of consolidation. Boykin has spoken with community leaders and taxpayers who voiced their option in support of a consolidated high school. Mrs. Boykin was in favor of consolidation based on her constituents’ opinions. Board member Stan Bulger stated coming into the process he was for consolidation but after the facility study he felt it would be in the best interest to entertain the idea of doing improvements at each school. Board Member Lilly Hardy advised she was for consolidation but was not in favor the building being located in Magee. Board Member Danny Cowart stated after hearing all other board members the best option at this time seemed to be repairs at each school at a cost of $30,000,000. The board asked Superintendent Greg Paes what his thoughts were. Paes stated first and foremost, “he wanted what was best for the children of Simpson County.” Paes would like to see a consolidated high school, but he would support whatever decision the board decided.
The board voted to proceed with option 4.1(see details below) to be brought back to the communities in three meetings for further education on what is involved with the best decision to move forward with the facility assessment. Option 4.1 will allow reconstruction at Magee Middle and High School as well as Mendenhall Middle and High School. Repair work and additional safety needs would be addressed at Simpson Central.
Attached is a list of what each option involves that The Bailey Group presented to the board.
