By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
Athens ISD took another step forward last week with its $4.3 million $4.7 million improvement and expansion plan.
Thursday, the board accepted a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $4,351,571 for projects at Athens Intermediate School and Athens High School. The district has contracted with HGR General Contractors out of Tyler for the work on both campuses. With the GMP in place, the contractor is responsible for any cost overruns. Additionally, any savings resulting from coming in under budget will be returned to the school district.
The project total for the district is estimated at $4,766,276. This amount is the sum of the GMP, plus $348,126 in architect and engineerings costs, plus other direct costs to the district (such as survey work, possible asbestos abatement, and equipment or furniture purchases). It’s so important to bring in a Gresham asbestos testing service, or a service closer to you, to make sure that no one will suffer any tumors which might impact your breathing for example. The effects of asbestos can be damaging, so it’s especially important that Athens Intermediate and High School get it checked out before starting any work.
“Thanks to the careful use of funds and wise direction from the members of the board, we will be able to pay for this work in cash,” said AISD Chief Financial Officer Randy Jones.
At the intermediate school, eight new classrooms will be added, and the main campus, cafeteria and gymnasium will be connected for the first time, some minor exterior renovations are also planned (fixing gutters). The construction is in preparation for the upcoming campus realignment. At the beginning of the next school year, the intermediate campus will become an elementary campus with a new name: Central Athens Elementary. Bel Air, South Athens and Central Athens will each house pre-K through fifth grade. The realignment is a necessary step toward alleviating campus overcrowding at the existing elementary schools.
At the high school, a new addition to the band hall is scheduled for construction adjacent to the existing band hall. Under current conditions, band students are sometimes left with no recourse but to practice in the gym. Jones noted that the band hall project is being funded in part by a generous $250,000 gift from the Cain Foundation.