King: Concerned About Bids Coming In Budget For New Putnam School

Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said he has concerns that the system’s new Park View School project will come in at budget.

During a Putnam County Joint Economic and Community Development Board meeting Tuesday, King said cost projections show the building needs to stay under 235,000 square feet. The current needs, based on student growth, stand at 275,000 square feet.

“We’re really concerned about just the cost of materials, supplies and the bids will come in when we get there,” King said. “But, we have to build. We’re at a point with the growth. We’re hearing all the new growth and development coming in. We have to have somewhere to put these kids.”

The school system in November cut about 5,000 square feet from the project. Classroom space and student capacity was not impacted from the decrease, according to the architect company that made the report at the time.

“This is something that we got to move forward with just so we have classroom space for the families moving in,” King said.

The Putnam County Commission approved a $44.7 million bond last year to fund the construction. King said the K-8 Park View School should go out to bid in the next four to six weeks.

Finding a contractor another issue the school system faces, according to the school system’s director. King said five contractors were interested in the project but only two contractors submitted proposals.

“The reason the other three didn’t is because they couldn’t get subcontractors,” King said. “Everyone is facing the labor issue.”

The new school is scheduled to be open in fall 2024 and accommodate about 1,000 students.