Groundbreaking for new middle school slated for December

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Wednesday, September 28. 2011

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Groundbreaking for the new Barrow County middle school in Statham is slated for December and school officials will begin requesting bids from general contractors for the construction project soon.

At Tuesday’s Barrow County Board of Education meeting, assistant superintendent Jake Grant presented information to the BOE about the project and requested an approval for written qualifications for a general contractor before the system hires someone for the $14-16 million project.

Grant said bids should be tabulated just after Thanksgiving break, which is when the Superintendent will recommend the lowest bidder to the board.

Reportedly, the school system has not requested bids for a construction project since 2007.

“This is a different day,” said Grant. “We know that we need to get bidders to our bid table that are capable of doing the work and have proven themselves and have the financial strength and stability to do the projects.”

For the full BOE story, see the Sept. 28 issue of the Barrow Journal online or in print.

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#1 joannie on 09/29/11 at 07:43 AM

I live closer to Statham ,It will be a blessing if I can send my child to the new school when she is ready for middle school.!Hurry up and lets get this new school built!

#2 Observer on 09/30/11 at 07:46 AM

I hear there is a 'good' contractor from Houston County (no relation to Creel, I'm sure) that is going to bid. Wonder if they will be the low bidder?

#2.1 ha on 09/30/11 at 08:06 AM

It won't matter. Who ever she tells them is the best that board will believe. Jake's input won't matter either. as long as she gets her way. they have only bucked her once. Look at the mess they are all in now!

#2.1.1 INCUMBENT VOTE THEM OUT! . on 09/30/11 at 10:27 AM

I hear she is letting the maintenance workers do the remolding on the 3 yr old building at transportation maybe she will hire them do to the high school. Do they need to get permits from the county before remolding the 3 YR OLD transportation building because I did not see any when I went by.

#2.1.1.1 good? on 09/30/11 at 10:33 AM

Does the school system have to haver pernits like the restof us

#3 INCUMBENT VOTE THEM OUT! . on 09/30/11 at 10:59 AM

They had them when they built the building. I live in the sub next to the bus shop and when they were building three years ago they had the permit posted outside near the road (right where they need to put a barrel for the office workers to stand and smoke this winter so they can keep warm and their cigarettes butts won’t be all over the ground) because I stopped and read the permit when I was walking my dog but I have not seen one for the remolding they are doing now. I bet that is costing us a pretty penny!!! We are paying twice to have the bus shop built..... CRAZY!!!!!

#3.1 too busy on 09/30/11 at 11:06 AM

too busy to get permits. they are cleaning tires and watching the band load buses.

#4 Anonymous on 09/30/11 at 03:11 PM

at least the band got the right amount of buses for two weeks in a row.... I guess Creel knows now "DON'T MESS WITH BAND PARENTS"

#4.1 Ho Hum on 10/04/11 at 08:11 AM

Off topic...irrelevent...yelling in all caps. Excellent response.

#5 great! on 09/30/11 at 11:59 PM

6 furlough days this year!!YEAH Build all the facilities you want. but if you don't have the money for the teachers, what good is it doing for anyone? So the teachers, who are catching hell anyway have got to teach the material with less time? Explain that one!!!!!GO AYP

#5.1 Right on 10/01/11 at 12:27 AM

6 furlough days with today being one of them Schools are not open and teachers are't allowed to enter to work on class planning and need. You know a couple of years back they had a furlough day during per planning and could not even work to prepare for classes. Well if you went to either schools ballgame tonight you saw teachers and principles and coaches. AHS band director was there with his band. WBHS's band was not there as they were leaving on a fall trip. Para professionals, custodians all at the game working. ALL ON A FURLOUGH DAY!!! So keep building, remodeling. When you can't not pay the people who work with those kids in a classroom and those mighty test scores are harder to achieve, will you be the ones to please explain to the parents that you can't afford to keep the facilites you have open, so you keep building more to do the same.

#5.1.1 where was? on 10/01/11 at 08:08 AM

Did anyone see Creel or any other high officials at any of these games. What...not buses to load and so they don't show.

#5.1.1.1 At Apalachee on 10/01/11 at 08:37 AM

Creel was at Apalachee. It must be nice to have nothing to worry about in this life, except where Creel is on Friday night.

#5.1.1.1.1 home on 10/01/11 at 08:53 AM

Her home away from home.

#5.1.1.1.1.1 Tammy on 10/02/11 at 11:05 AM

No transportation is Creel’s home away from home ask anyone. I guess she needs to be there cleaning up all the “snafu’s” the under qualified over paid smoking office workers at the bus shop make. Or maybe she is trying her hand at being a mechanic Lord knows they need some help because as much as they drive bus routes or ride as a bus monitor when they should be working on buses we will be lucky if what happen to the fire truck don’t happen to one of the buses because we don’t have enough mechanic’s (per state recommendations) as it is and we send them out to drive bus routes and ride as monitors on bus routes…..

#5.1.1.2 Fortitude on 10/01/11 at 03:53 PM

Would you spend time away from your family on a Friday night to be surrounded by a thousand people, no parking and watching a football game that has your team losing all year ?

#5.1.1.2.1 missed on 10/01/11 at 04:06 PM

She was there someone said i did not see her.
But that would be the first time since all this mess started I haven't.
So guess she was surprised like you AHS won. Go Wildcats!

#6 I like on 10/01/11 at 08:14 AM

I like," so when you can't pay the teachers and the mighty tests are harder to pass, Will YOU be the ones to tell the parents you can't afford to keep the facilities you have open, so you keep building more to do the same?
This best explains what id going on and the fact they have 6 furlough days and one of them being on a Friday night during football season.
Another nail BOE

#7 On furlough! on 10/01/11 at 08:19 AM

Can't come!!They were are furlough...Oh wait, do they have furlough days? Interesting to find out?

#8 Hoped thanked on 10/01/11 at 08:55 AM

Hope she thanked all school employees for showing up. They by DID NOT HAVE TOO.

#8.1 really on 10/01/11 at 08:57 AM

WOW ARE YOU SAYING TEACHERS CARED ENOUGH ABOUT THE KIDS TO SHOW UP ON A FURLOUGH DAY. GUESS WHAT, THEY DID LAST YEAR ALSO.

#9 barrow legend on 10/01/11 at 09:02 AM

You all,,,please!!! IT IS A GREAT THING THAT STAHAM/BARROW KIDS ARE GETTING A NEW SCHOOL!!! GET OVER IT....

#10 Yes it is! however on 10/01/11 at 09:13 AM

Yes it is great and I support the plan with all of my heart however, that does not fix the ongoing problems in this system. It only gives another place for more. yes they do need a middle school down there and in a few years a high school on that end of the county.
The school is supported. this opened a page for for discussion about the system and it is sad that we are so unhappy with what is going on that every opportunity it all leads back to the BOE and Creel. But until someone does something guess what...way of the world. elections are really too far away. this issue, like Yearwood and Thompson will not go away.

#11 barrow legend on 10/01/11 at 12:00 PM

The BOE and Creel are making steady progress as well as several new BOE new teachers and staff. It sounds like many of you are just impatient and have a personal issues with barrow folk.

#11.1 ha on 10/01/11 at 12:31 PM

Personal issues. GMAB

#11.2 full on 10/01/11 at 04:33 PM

Please feel free to share with us all the progress that is being made and let us tell you how full of it you are. things are bad..really bad and you can wave the banner and play the tune and make it anything else but what it is.

#11.2.1 Anonymous on 10/01/11 at 07:41 PM

unless you call two steps backward progress then there has not been any.

#11.2.1.1 Thank you on 10/01/11 at 07:57 PM

thank you ! You actually heard some of us!

#11.2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/01/11 at 09:44 PM

wish the BOE would get it....

#11.3 Anon on 10/02/11 at 06:08 PM

Where is this school going to be in Statham?

#11.3.1 doesn't say on 10/02/11 at 07:12 PM

doesn't say in article

#12 Anonymous on 10/01/11 at 12:27 PM

LOL, you can't please all the people,but, I am gald I don't have children to mix with some of these folks. I just wish they would privitize education, so I would not have to pay so much school tax on my little house and few acres. Children have it so much easier today, and are cartered too. It seems with all the special attention they get now, why are the test scores not excellent? My hats off the the leaders that have to deal with crazies and their precious children.

#12.1 paid on 10/01/11 at 04:30 PM

Man, if you weren't paying school tax it would be something else. The generation before you paid for yours. turn around id fair play. Look how smart you are now.

#13 Taxes on 10/02/11 at 08:01 AM

Taxes? Lets not talk about taxes!!! Lets not forget who are paying the "$100,000" plus attorney fees for the "Facebook" book teacher...BARROW COUNTY taxpayers!!! Lets not forget who is sole responsible, BOE, Mr McGee and his APH admin, and Saunders!!!

#13.1 onward on 10/02/11 at 01:14 PM

Hope this one goes all the way to Supreme Court.
Would you not like to have your off time monitored also.! Esp. on vaction

#13.2 ha on 10/02/11 at 04:52 PM

Some of this could have already been stopped. You have the same BOE. The rest in gone. They or Creel could stand up and admitt the errors and move on. then again that would give this young woman her life back as well as money and you can bet they do not want to do this. If the Professional Standards Commission did not pull her teachers certificate, what makes the BOE think this could hold up?

#14 Let it go on 10/04/11 at 08:15 AM

The band bus thing...the Creel thing...the anger at everything thing...the story is about breaking ground for a new school - not if Creel goes to football games and/or how many buses it takes to haul a band. You're boring us!

#14.1 hundreds on 10/04/11 at 08:52 AM

You may be tired of it, but guess what? this issue will not go away.
There are alot of upset people out of the system and in the system. the problem is the sheer numbers. With bands and athletic groups you are talking about hundreds.
I may be also tired of seeing it, but until they see something or hear something, this many people will be heard

#14.2 not just band thing or buses on 10/04/11 at 09:01 AM

I am reading about furlough days,people fussing about their taxes, permits, contractors smoking at the school buss barn., adding on the the transportation building, and the teacher suing the school system, her teacher certificate, Saunders, Magee and 1 band parent comment. and yet you zero in on the band issue.
Other than asking where and when all comments are off topic, even yours.

#14.2.1 INCUMBENT VOTE THEM OUT! on 10/04/11 at 11:19 AM

It may be off this topic....... but it is not off our TOPIC (and yes I yelled so you could hear me) We discuss these things at our meetings regularly. Like they said WE WILL BE HEARD! The BOE, CREEL, and her colonies will have to listen when election time comes and it sounds like to me you are a colonies and believe me, you are few and far between! We are tired of the way Creel is running the system. We have given you many examples of why Creel needs to go and YOU have not given us any reason for her to stay. Creel is tearing our system down step by step. How long will the BOE wait???? It looks like they are going to wait until they will be going with her!

#14.2.1.1 not just on 10/04/11 at 11:44 AM

Totally agree with you. However that was addressed to the "let it go". It really gets to me how some peple only pick up in a blog what they are interested and slam everything else. so they are tired of hearing. so what. some of these people are tired of living it. Some have left. But picking out the band parent was totally tacky.

#14.2.2 Anonymous on 10/04/11 at 12:28 PM

I challenge you ..... go by the bus barn any weekday any time from 6:00am to 5:30pm and you will find a heard of elephants standing around outside smoking.... We are paying them to do this! WHY???? Only in Winder! Trashy!!!!
When I have people come over to my house I make sure they come from 211 so they will not see the trash!!! and yes I VOTE!!!!!

#14.2.2.1 not smoke on 10/04/11 at 12:37 PM

Well, I don't see people smoking as trashy. Maybe uneducated as to the results, but not trashy. If you have a problem with only this regarding our school system, consider yourself lucky

#14.2.2.1.1 Anonymous on 10/04/11 at 01:14 PM

ok but why are we paying them to smoke??????????

#14.2.2.1.1.1 called breaks on 10/04/11 at 01:35 PM

They do get breaks and if there is enough of them, it could appear that is the same ones.

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1 Food for Thought on 10/04/11 at 02:04 PM

How many breaks a day do they get???? It appears they are on break all the time! It also shows up in their work maybe if they paid as much attention to the job they are suppose to be doing as they do to the cigarettes they are smoking they would not have so many "snafu" (screw-ups)

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1 do I on 10/04/11 at 02:08 PM

Do any of us look like the break fairy? I do agree with you, but who dictates what people can do on their breaks

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1 DRUG FREE on 10/04/11 at 02:17 PM

It’s not just what they do but how much they do it!!!! And on another note The Government dictates that schools and school property are "DRUG FREE" and tobacco is a drug ... look it up!

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 ha on 10/04/11 at 02:36 PM

Give yourself a break. Why don't you go to any school property esp high schools and tell the kids that.

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/04/11 at 02:47 PM

The adults or suppose to be setting a "Good" example but I guess here in Winder they don't and that's why you can go to the High school and see the kids smoking or you saying if the kids do it then we (bus shop) can?

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 I think on 10/04/11 at 03:01 PM

What is being said is it a dream to think the schools are drug free.

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/04/11 at 03:08 PM

I know they are not but that is no excuse for the adults to be setting a bad example.

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 agreed on 10/04/11 at 03:14 PM

But what children who are in school go by there to see it. Not trying to be fresh..just asking.
Shopping mail parking lots, school parking lots, even riding in cars you see this. What makes it different. these are system emloyees but on games and on trips bus drivers move off toanoither spot to smoke. Chaperons and parents in parking lots smoke. who says anything to them. Why pick on transpotation

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/04/11 at 03:25 PM

Because I live next door and I think it looks Trashy and nowhere else in the system are the school employees allowed so many smoke breaks! You don't see teachers running outside to the curb every 15mins to smoke.

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 I vote too! on 10/04/11 at 08:13 PM

Two wrongs don't make it right >"Chaperons and parents in parking lots smoke. who says anything to them"

If Young was any kind of a boss (not just a driver trainer) she would clean up the trash in her front door starting with the smokers!

#14.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 point here on 10/04/11 at 08:29 PM

Point here was monkey see monkey do. Now kids will follow If you have a complaint call the or write the BOE. As much bad press as they are getting, maybe they will do something. Unless Creel steps in and says there is no problem. She is good at that.

#15 who on 10/04/11 at 11:49 AM

Who decided that all caps. were yelling. I have all ways used them for emphasis. Is this a new text email thing? Again so PC. another new rule for us oldies to learn.wow.

#16 Band all the way!!!! on 10/04/11 at 12:00 PM

I agree but you will have the last laugh! What they (Creel,BOE and "Let it go") don't realize is how many Voters the band and alumni from BOTH schools have. Nor do they realize that A BAND FAMILY STICKS together! We may be county rivals when we compete but if you mess with one BAND you mess with both BANDs....

#17 Jack legg on 10/04/11 at 12:16 PM

I like the job that creel is doing. she has turned the system around and it is better than it was before.maybe she's not kissing the right hinney for you "band people" but I always thought the band was a bunch of sissies anyway.What makes all of you hornblower parents think you know anything anyway? seems to me youre just a bunch of whiners and complainers.
I predict that most of the board will stay put and creel will stay inplace after ALL of the people have been heard from.

#17.1 too funny on 10/04/11 at 12:34 PM

Unless you are IN the system, you have NO idea what you are talking about. I am not referring to the band..that is for another day.
The system is NOT turned around..it is upside down without any communication between county office and the different schools. New mandates in place that NO one knows about unless they bump up against one. then another is put in place again without communication so it won't happen again.
There is no hinny's to kiss only one showing hers all the time.

#17.2 Do you on 10/04/11 at 12:41 PM

Do you have a child or grandchild in the system? Do you have any relatives working there? If so ask them?
or do you try to be like some of our credit card millionares around here and get involved the social scene?
Have you met the woman and listened to her ongoing plans. Next time you do ask her has she shared those with anybody that works for the system to see if it a viable solution. go hard hat!

#17.3 some on 10/04/11 at 02:13 PM

Some of us horn blower parents are in a postiton to know what exactly is going on. as a matter of fact there are quite a few.

#18 INCUMBENT VOTE THEM OUT! on 10/04/11 at 01:09 PM

Well Mr. Hard Hat Please give us one, just one example of "her ongoing plans" you speak of because we all don't see it! Please just one!
You know the sky is PURPLE! We all can say something but the “Proof is in the Pudding” and we have given you Proof you have only given us words.

#18.1 Do you on 10/04/11 at 01:34 PM

taken out of context I agree with you. I can't tell anything is going on except photo ops go back and reread.

#18.2 maybe on 10/04/11 at 01:37 PM

Maybe I should have said go hart hat and keep on going and it would have been clearer

#19 Hear that? on 10/04/11 at 02:32 PM

It's a bunch of online, can't move on, won't move on trolls trip-trapping on the school ground breaking story bridge...Move on folks. Back in your cars. There's nothing more to see here.

#19.1 off topic again on 10/04/11 at 02:37 PM

oh my

#20 Anonymous on 10/04/11 at 02:38 PM

What??? you must have a Creel education because you are not making any sense. say what you mean don't talk in riddles

#21 Sheesh on 10/04/11 at 03:30 PM

Mike should stop posting stories about the BOE. He works so hard on the articles just so the same old cave people can b----,

Why don't you save some time Mike? How about just posting the headline "BOE" and let the regular posters make up crap to fill in the page like they always do?

#21.1 you have 2 on 10/04/11 at 03:35 PM

Well, well, we see you on just about every page. You are even on this one before this or on the other one complimenting yourself on you kids computer education. so you are not interested in our opinions? Well that is a two way street

#22 his is on on 10/04/11 at 03:38 PM

No his is on drop enrollment. But he is the only one entitled to his say. Have you never read his "opinions" before?

#23 A Close Observer on 10/04/11 at 05:57 PM

Creel interferes with the hiring recommendations of her principals for reasons that she thinks will benefit HER and HER alone. So much for the students and who would be the best teacher for the kids. Think I don't know what I am talking about??? See if you can get a principal to talk off of the record. They are probably too professional to tell anyone, let alone the BOE members of her unprofessional and unethical practices.
It will come out in the end; and, the end is near.

#23.1 right on 10/04/11 at 06:03 PM

I know for a fact you are correct!!!!!!!!!

#23.2 they won't on 10/04/11 at 06:07 PM

They will not say a word anyone.. esp at PDC until they know they are safe and their jobs are safe.
It is a shame that the BOE are so gullible.
Their attitude is there are more looking for jobs, if ya don't like it move on. Well, some have, some won't because they are sticking around to vote them off.

#23.3 tracher? on 10/04/11 at 06:09 PM

Why just ask the principals. Ask the asst. and the teachers.

#23.4 From the inside... on 10/04/11 at 07:09 PM

The teachers know. The principals know. The APs know. But everyone is fearful of having the rug pulled from beneath them like she has done to many, including a teacher on the last day of post-planning last year. She offered that teacher a position that she knew wouldn't be accepted in order to replace that teacher with a buddy of hers. Absolutely ruthless and of course life-changing for a very dedicated teacher. I was disappointed that the Journal didn't run with that story.

So no one will talk, at least not on the record. But everyone knows...

#23.4.1 But he has on 10/04/11 at 07:27 PM

But he has really made a success in Pickens county! too bad he was forced to leave the kids here high and dry.

#24 but on 10/04/11 at 07:30 PM

She had support of the BOE on that one. Did anyone ever ask why the principal did not stand up for him?

#24.1 stay employed on 10/04/11 at 07:32 PM

He wants to stayed employed

#24.1.1 Still Watching and Waiting on 10/04/11 at 08:11 PM

And off of her radar and outside her 'cross-hairs'

#24.1.1.1 I can on 10/04/11 at 08:22 PM

I can understand..I do too

#25 WBHS Band on 10/04/11 at 08:09 PM

It was not just Creel that was under-handed on that one. Her buddy, Kerry, was looking out for # 1 just as he did when he left WBHS the first time. Yeah, she had BOE support but she seems to be able to manipulate (strong-arm) support when she needs it.

#25.1 AHS band on 10/04/11 at 08:31 PM

We support you and know that we thought we were going to get him on top of the hill from us.

#26 WBHS Band parent on 10/04/11 at 08:33 PM

Does anyone know or care what this type of transition did to these kids?

#27 WBHS Band on 10/04/11 at 08:52 PM

This band is a Winder institution. It is the only constant in a sea of change.I agree with what one writer wrote several weeks back, You start messing with the band, you are dealing with a very very big family.

#28 transition on 10/04/11 at 09:02 PM

The transition was hard and complicated by the fact they waited until May to inform the AHA and the WBHS asst. band directors the did not have jobs. Only county with band programs this size with no assistants. stupid

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