School construction nears completion

Construction seems to be dragging on at schools around the county. But at S.S. Dixon Primary and Milton High, students and teachers are seeing progress as both schools near the end of their projects.

S.S. Dixon Primary is waiting for a fresh coat of white lines on their newly paved 144-space parking lot, as Milton slaps on last minutes upgrades to the front of their building.

Both schools have been under construction since last year, and even with weather slowing progress, both construction companies are on schedule to finish projects within the next two months.

“We have projects going on all around the county,” said Assistant Superintendent over Administrative Services Joey Harrell.

One of those projects includes a recently completed computer lab and band room at King Middle School. Avalon Middle’s 10-classroom addition was also completed before the start of the New Year.

Despite numerous budget woes and worries over a weak economy, Harrell said all projects have been under budget for local schools.

“We’ve been under budget with all of our projects for the past year and a half,” Harrell said. “Based on the economy we’ve been able to under bid, so we have not been over projection on the projects.”

At S.S. Dixon Primary, a new kitchen and cafeteria along with some classroom additions, and more importantly, a new parking lot is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. This is good news to Harrell considering some of the weather setbacks construction companies have had to face over the past few months.

“Early in the fall, we got a lot of rain, which caused delays for a lot of the construction,” Harrell said.

Despite that, both the S.S. Dixon and Milton High projects are scheduled for completion on time.

“We are on the last phase for the kitchen and cafeteria. Everything should be completed and ready for move in at the end of the month,” Harrell said.

Milton High, which is getting a few classroom and exterior facelifts, is on schedule for move in at the end of next month.

“Milton will be ready by the end of February, so we are definitely making a lot of progress in our projects,” Harrell said.

Despite a few interruptions, Harrell said faculty members and parents have worked well around the construction.

“Overall teachers and parents realize there are going to be pains, but also recognize they are getting something new and better. Overall it has run pretty smooth.”