The Cherokee County School District is preparing to open the new/replacement Ball Ground Elementary School for the 2012-13 School Year. A tour was held on Monday, May 21, 2012 for School Board Members and local media. The tour was attended by School Board Chairman Mike Chapman, Vice Chairwoman Janet Read and School Board Members Rick Steiner and Robert Wofford, as well as Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo, the Superintendent’s Cabinet and Ball Ground ES Principal Doug Knott.
Construction of the new/replacement Ball Ground ES was funded by Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) revenues. The new school is 146,403 square feet constructed on 25 acres and has the capacity to serve 1,200 students.
The prototypical design by Manley, Spangler, and Smith Architects also was used for the Little River ES replacement and the Canton ES replacement; the use of prototypical designs results in cost savings to the School District. Hardin Construction Company was awarded the construction contract, and the facility was completed on time and under budget. The total construction cost of $18.7 Million reflects a savings of $3.3 Million when compared to the Little River ES replacement and $5.8 Million when compared to the Canton ES replacement.
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The new/replacement Ball Ground ES includes 74 instructional units, and all classrooms are equipped with Smart Boards, computers and technology. The school also includes computer labs, a media center, art/music rooms, a gymnasium and a cafeteria with a stage. A mechanical mezzanine level allows for the serving of equipment without disruption of classroom activities. A four-pipe chilled water and hot water system was installed to increase the life expectancy of equipment. The site was designed to allow the separation of cars and buses when dropping off and picking up students, which was possible due to the assistance of the City of Ball Ground.
