South Cobb High School Gets a Major Makeover

In a few weeks, the first phase of the $18 million renovation project at South Cobb High School will be complete.

The work includes a brand new cafeteria, a new bus port which separates the car pool lane from bus entry, a new three-story stairwell to streamline traffic flow, new parking lot and practice fields.    

During the renovations, has functioned with a make-shift kitchen in outside portables with food transported into one of the old gymnasiums, which is now serving as a temporary cafeteria.

The additional phases already under way include construction of new buildings which will house the school's fine arts programs and the new Ninth Grade Academy.  All construction is set to be completed by  July 2011.

The Academy will include 40 instructional units designed for incoming freshmen.  The Ninth Grade Academy programs are based on an education model designed to help students starting high school to improve their skills.  The goal is to improve test scores and graduation rates.   

Built in 1952, the school's last round of renovations was finished more than 10 years ago.  The new overhaul will update school facilities with modern touches.  "This will be a 21^st century campus," said Ashley Hosey, principal. 

The renovations and additions are funded by a sales tax known as SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax).

Hosey said the sales tax funding has kept the Cobb County School District's aging facilities from being casualties of the weak economy.  "It really has allowed our district to maintain and keep growing so we can serve the needs of our students," he said.

The new renovations are expected to be ready when students return to school on January 4.  Completing the cafeteria, in particular, is expected to bring relief to the staff and students.

"The kids call it the 'cafeterium'," jokes Mary Thielman, the school's assistant principal, referring to the temporary space.  "They've been really good about adjusting to the change."