Facility Planning and Construction

Project Management can mean different things in different school systems. In Barrow, depending on the size of the project, it means working with system staff, architects, engineers, contractors, school level management, as well as State and local entities to plan for, design, permit, and construct new schools, additions, and renovations, along with any other local school improvement projects from planting shrubs, to installing a sidewalk, to constructing a field-house.

Current projects:

• Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy Phase II Addition
• Austin Road Elementary School Construction
• Renovations to Bethlehem Elementary School, County Line Elementary School, and Winder Elementary School
• CFIT (Barrow Community Foundation Phase I Site Improvements)
• Tennis Complex Improvements at Apalachee High School & Winder-Barrow High School

Funding Sources

Barrow County voters approved the 6th extension of a local option sales tax in the spring of 2019 to fund various capital projects associated specifically with education such as building improvements, new school buses, technology upgrades, and text books. This consumption based tax, also referred to as “ELOST” or educational local option sales tax, generates revenue from the purchase of goods in Barrow County.

General Obligation or “GO” bonds are sold in order to forward fund projects with ELOST proceeds used to retire debt on the bonds.

State capital outlay dollars are allocated to school systems based on eligible need. Each spring the school system evaluates and updates its Capital Outlay Plan to reflect this need. Each summer the school system may apply for state funds to help build new spaces or renovate existing ones so long as the projects meet state mandated eligibility requirements.