Socrates Garrett, program executive with Jacobs/Preferred Management Group, said he does not foresee any problems in completing the additional classrooms to Marshall and Wilkins elementary schools as scheduled.
In fact, he said: “I spoke with the general contractor, and we think that we will be able to complete the schedule early.”
Students attending both schools can expect to return to school next fall to the brand new facilities. “I can’t wait,” said Jaylin Norwood, a Wilkins’ student. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Garrett, little Miss Norwood, the new district superintendent Dr. Lonnie Edwards and his wife Cynthia, along with State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank Bounds and other officials recently participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for the two schools.
“Facilities matter. It’s important that boys and girls are in safe, clean and attractive environments – environments that when kids walk in to them, it says ‘this is a place where learning takes place,’” said Bounds. He emphasized that the passage of the bond and the new additions show the level of commitment that the City has to improving its public schools. “I’m just absolutely excited to see how many have turned out and to see buildings get ready to go vertical in such economical times,” Bounds said at the Wilkins’ groundbreaking.
Bounds is not the only one excited, Edwards, the district’s new leader, appears to be delighted at coming aboard at such an opportune time. “It’s a wonderful opportunity,” said Edwards during his second groundbreaking of the morning. “I feel like hitting the ground running is what you all [the citizens] wanted – a superintendent who could hit the ground running, looking at various challenges and changes, and supporting the process of making it all work.”
The Marshall and Wilkins elementary school additions will be the first of the 2006 $150-million-dollar Bond Referendum projects that is “coming up from the ground,” according to School Board President Delmer Stamps.
The district has received some criticism from a few citizens concerned that the bond projects completions are “too slow.” Stamps said, “the district has completed more than $22 million in what we call ‘deferred maintenance work.’”
Jackson Public Schools received bids and awarded contracts on deferred maintenance projects during the summer of 2007 totaling $12.5 million.
Of the 30 projects initiated this summer, 23 have been completed as reported in Tuesday’s board meeting. The work was done during the summer to minimize any interruptions of instructional time for students and for safety reasons.
The summer projects include roof replacements, floor tile installation or replacement, door and fire alarm replacements, HVAC replacement, exterior painting, installation of new stage lights, drainage repairs to athletic fields, structural repairs, and installation of a new intercom system.
Approximately $4.4 million, or 22 percent of the bond expenditures, for deferred maintenance projects have been made with businesses owned by minorities and/or women.
For the new construction, design work has either been completed and work has begun (Marshall and Wilkins elementaries) or the design work is being finalized and bids will be advertised for construction.
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