Lake Oconee Academy Executive Director Dr. Brad Bowling told the Board of Governors last Monday that an architectural and engineering firm has toured the school’s campus to prepare concept plans and cost estimates for the new middle school.
Bowling said plans will be ready by June or July for the board’s consideration.
“They’re moving as quickly as they can to try to get us an estimate of costs as well as some plans and concept plans in place,” Bowling said.
As of now, plans would include a building for the 448 students in fourth through eighth grades currently housed in modular facilities, plus room for growth.
The board discussed concerns with funding, as much of the financing of the Titan Center, fine arts building, and high school came from a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan program.
Chairman Michael Tompkins said the USDA’s future is uncertain.
“What’s happening in Washington is a lot of stuff,” Tompkins said. “No one really knows what’s happening … I doubt seriously that [USDA] is a route we can have an expectation that they can achieve. It’s disturbing; they don’t know if they have a job.”
The board discussed other financing options if federal funding isn’t available, including exploring ESPLOST funding from the Greene County Board of Education, other grants, and capital campaigns.
According to board member Jennifer Vaughan, a capital campaign to build the high school and Titan Center netted more than $2 million from parent and community sponsors.
“If you’re gearing up for a capital campaign, I think it’s time to do it,” Vaughan said.