The construction of Columbia County's newest high school continues to move forward ahead of schedule.
"They're anticipating that some staff may be able to move in as early as April," said Penny Jackson, who will lead Grovetown High School once it opens in August 2009.
So far, Ms. Jackson is the only staff member of the county's fifth high school. She said she has received unofficial confirmation that her former secretary, Sharon Adams, from her time as assistant principal at Greenbrier High School will join her at her new workplace. Also, she hopes to hire a head football coach, athletic director and band director in December.
"In January, the faculty will start putting in transfer requests if they want to move to the new school," Ms. Jackson said.
The number of teacher transfers, versus the number of needed new hires for the school, will depend on how many students will be pulled away from Greenbrier, Harlem and Evans high schools to fill it, Ms. Jackson said. Preliminary figures from the school system suggest enrollment will be about 1,200 students.
"It's also based on what the kids sign up for," Ms. Jackson added. "For example, if we don't have enough interest for a technology class, then we wouldn't have to hire that teacher."
What teachers are needed, Ms. Jackson said, should be determined by February.
The $39.8 million school on Chamblin Road possibly will include eight vocational courses, including automotive and cosmetology.
The 86-classroom campus is spread across more than 70 acres. Much of the work on the exterior of the school is complete, including some athletic fields with bleachers. And some hallways already are painted, Superintendent Charles Nagle recently told the school board.
Ms. Jackson said construction workers recently started building the school's roof and she spoke with an architect last week on a logo design for the gymnasium floor.
While she waits to check out her new workspace, Ms. Jackson is an interim principal at Grovetown Middle School, which will be a feeder school for Grovetown High, along with Greenbrier and Columbia Middle schools.
"I'm getting to know the kids and they're excited and taking pride," she said. "The eighth-graders here tell me, 'We're going to be your first class to go through all four years.'
"They're already taking ownership, which is what I hoped would happen."
Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
They need to do something quick, Greenbrier has way to many kids. Please do something to get them out of the region they are in, it's scary. No way one of my kids would travel to a school to play ball and need Police escort in and out of the neighborhood. Give me a break.
This one may actually be finsihed by the time kids are allowed in it.
Something should be done about this new region alignment. Did CCBOE appeal or have a chance too? GHSA moved GB in there for a year (make ten times as much travel, we all know about gas around here, and have students get home @ 2 AM or so on a school night) then there numbers drop the following year when the new school opens and they're still in AAAAA? It doesn't make sense.
youallkillme - "make ten times as much travel" was your comment? as compared to what? How long were the drives the past two years? Ware County (4 hrs), Brunswick & Glynn Academy (3 1/2 hrs), Wayne County (3 hrs), Effingham (2 1/2 hrs). Heck, Statesboro is almost 2 hrs. So the Atlanta region is actually closer, right? Greenbrier will compete at whatever level in baseball, softball & even soccer but will never compete in football and basketball. The football team has had 1 winning season in 8 years (2003). It's sad but being the Columbia County Champion seems to be the only goal each year.
The region was "sub" divided as "north and south" in many sports last year, so travel was not as bad. Example: Statesboro, Greenbrier, Evans, Lakeside, ARC all played each other in the north. Then you crossed over at region tournament time against the south and only had to travel 2-4 hours away at that time. Much better than doing it 2-3 times a week.
Kudos to the construction company RW Allen for making the "school work ahead of schedule" The construction team involved deserves the credit.
Teenagers decide whether or not a technology class is offered? Really?! Really?! Class offerings should not be determined by students. Perhaps input regarding drama club, etc but not what should be considered essential educational components. In the '80's I spent time in an educational hell known as the quarter system brought to us by the Richmond County BOE. We students decided what we classes we would take - no input by counselors or parents - and I know people who took multiple PE, Art & other elective classes. They managed to graduate with a bare minimum of math, English... you know, nothing too important! Wake up people - hire the teachers, schedule the classes, take charge and tell the kids they WILL take the classes.
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