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New school design to be submitted to state
MR BoEweb
Long County BoE Superintendent Dr. Edwin Pope discusses new school plans at the April meeting. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle
The Long County Board of Education saw the final plans for a new school on April 3.
The school is to be built on Highway 57 and Baggs Cemetery Road.
Superintendent Dr. Edwin Pope showed the plans and said they will be sent to the state for review. Once approved, site preparation could begin. According to Pope, once plans are approved, funding for the project could be initiated. However, he also said after the approval, the only changes could be "under-roof."
Board member Billy Hall asked if the water and sewage capabilities from the city will be adequate. Pope said he had talked with Ludowici Water Superintendent Jim Fuller and, according to him, it was sufficient for a school and adequate fire protection. It was reported that, according to Fuller, the hydrants for the school would be able to produce 1,000 gallons per minute, which is required.
Board member Emma Strickland also asked if a lift station for the project had been finalized, and whether the schools or the city would be responsible for maintaining it once it was built.
BoE attorney Richard Phillips said the board would have to sign it over to the city to have it maintain the station.
It was decided by the BoE that Strickland and any other member desiring would meet with the Ludowici City Council at its next meeting to work out the details.
Regarding the school site, Poe reported test results had been received and the site is suitable for construction.
According to earlier reports, the campus will be two separate schools; one for grades third-fifth, and the other for sixth-eighth. Both schools would have separate administrators and staff, but would share a cafeteria. Once these schools are built, Smiley Elementary would be for students second grade and below.
The BoE also recognized "Team 3 Technology" from Long County High School for work done in acquiring a grant. According to technology director Lee Bratton, the school received a $98,342 grant to technology in the school.
"As a result of the grant, we will have better technology in many more classes, which will only help our teachers and our students in the learning process."
She added, "I want to thank all the teachers who helped with this grant. It is only because of their hard work were we able to be approved for it."
The BoE also hired Shawn Peek as a part-time assistant principal at Walker Elementary School. Peek currently teaches health and physical education at the school, and is the athletic director.

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