As the school year approaches, and as teachers get ready for pre-planning next week, construction and improvement projects across the Liberty County School System are in high gear.
Work is being done at most of the system’s schools, at a grand total of $5.5 million.
School system chief operations officer Arnold Jackson told board members recently that the construction projects are on track, with eight projects at eight schools.
The project with the biggest price tag is replacing the air conditioning at Frank Long Elementary School, which is expected to cost $1.25 million. The project started in May and is expected to be done by July 27.
The HVAC system at the central board office also is getting replaced at a cost of $1.22 million. The rooftop units were installed from July 10–12.
RHOWE Design Build is working on improvements to Bradwell Institute’s interior, at a cost of $1.12 million. Work is scheduled to be done by July 27.
Also getting replaced is the gym floor at Taylors Creek Elementary and the roof at Midway Middle School. The roof replacement at Midway Middle is pegged at $1 million and is expected to be done by June 27. The new gym floor at Taylors Creek, though, likely will be done August 10. School administrators are making arrangements to conduct physical education activities while the work is being completed, Jackson said.
Dabbs Williams is doing canopy repairs at Joseph Martin, Lyman Hall and Waldo Pafford elementary schools, but that work is not expected to be done until October. The metal and steel needed was ordered in March and there is a long lead time with its delivery, Jackson warned.
Dabbs Williams also is working on the exterior envelope at Liberty County High School and during construction, significant corrosion was discovered in one of the wings.
Two elementary schools are getting new emergency generators, which are expected to be delivered in August.
Funding for the work came from a mix of the state Board of Education, the Georgia School Boards Association and proceeds from the special purpose local option sales tax.
Students return to class to start the 2026–27 school year August 4.