Habersham County’s Board of Education moved to approve funding for future expansion of Hazel Grove Elementary (Mt. Airy) and renovations at Woodville Elementary (Clarkesville) Monday, Nov. 11.
Construction of the $7.3 million projects will be completed by Gainesville-based Carroll Daniel Construction.
With expansion, Woodville (built in 1950) will see an additional three classrooms, reconfigured administrative space, roof replacement, a secured entrance and expansion of student and adult restrooms. The building also will be repainted, according to school officials.
Funding is expected to come from bond funds and Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenue.
Hazel Grove, the second oldest school building in Habersham (1954), will now receive new restrooms and new windows. Renovations will likely begin through the summer while students are out of class, according to officials, and be completed before the start of the school year.
Habersham County Superintendent Matthew Cooper described the decision as a critical investment in both the structures and the students.
“The board made a commitment years ago to keep both of those schools open,” Cooper said. “Both of those schools have gone through a first phase of renovation. This will be the second phase…this is a commitment by this board to keep those two community schools open and making an investment in them and our students.”
Assistant Superintendent Patrick Franklin said the project is set at $7.3 million, combined, but could come out at a lower cost, pending construction. He said the projects are part of much-needed upgrades and will also provide room for future expansion.
“In 1950, you didn’t have the same needs as student do now,” he said. “It will be more of a complete renovation…the cost is with a contingency. Everything will be that (cost) or lower.”
Long-term, the upgrades will provide crucial capacity for schools to grow with Habersham County, according to Franklin. “It gives us room to grow and also modernizes two of our older buildings. Those are community schools. The community loves them, so we need to bring them up to date.”
Habersham County Board of Education Chairman Doug Westmoreland agreed and stated, “We need the newer facilities and the space. It’s still a beautiful building. Both of them are. But it’s come time after 60 years that we need to do some updates and expansions and get that building up to code.”
