Rockdale Citizen

CONYERS -- Shoal Creek Elementary School will be renovated and get an addition over the next year.

The Rockdale County Board of Education recently approved Kevin Price General Contractors Inc. of Watkinsville to complete the project for more than $2 million.

The company was the low bidder with $2,042,500; bids ranged up to more than $2.3 million for the project. It was budgeted to cost $2.7 million.

Phil Budensiek, chief operating officer for Rockdale County Public Schools, said the school system hasn't used the company before, but it came recommended by references for projects in Newton and Morgan counties.

The addition will include eight classrooms, a restroom, storage and a workroom space. Budensiek said two of the rooms will be science labs, while the other classrooms will be designated later.

He said the addition is about 10,000 square feet. The current building is 73,250 square feet with 32 classrooms.

He said it is expected to eliminate as many as 13 portable classrooms from the school.

"We have trailer classrooms on that campus, and our goal is to not have any teaching in trailers," he said.

Currently, about 700 students attend the school.

Renovations to the existing facility include replacement of mechanical equipment, upgrade of the controls system, replacement of the ceilings in the hallways and cafeteria and an addition of a small canopy for the parent pick-up/drop-off area.

The project is part of the RCPS five-year facilities plan to accommodate growth.

It will be paid for through SPLOST III funds, which can only be used on previously determined projects.

It is expected to be complete by June 30, 2013.