School Board Seeks Help with 5-year Buildings Plan

The Oconee County School Board is asking the Georgia Department of Education for help in studying its educational facilities and forecasting needs for the next five years.

The board is beginning its research efforts more than a year in advance of the current plan's expiration in June 2012 to allow for extra input. 

At a board meeting this week, said the state offered to bring facility directors from other counties to Oconee to assess what revisions the plan may need.

"We know that we are going to go to the community some time this year to ask them to approve some renovations and some additions to our schools"  through the Education Local Option Sales Tax, Jackson said. "So we want some outside eyes to come and take a look at our plan.

"We think there is some value in having the Department of Education come and say, 'is this really a need?' and put their stamp of approval on it."

Board member Mark Thomas asked about possible expenses associated with state assistance.

Jackson said the Department of Education provides the help as a service to local school systems across the state at no cost.

"The only thing we'll have to do is provide 'creature comforts' -- maybe lunch -- and put together the booklet of information," he said.

Although various facility directors will offer recommendations, Jackson said the Oconee School Board would be the final authority to adopt or alter a plan as they see fit.

The resolution was unanimously approved.