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Published Tuesday, December 09, 2008 in Local
Special
Construction on Coweta County School System’s newest elementary school, Brooks Elementary, is about 40 percent complete. Its entrance on Jim Starr Road details a road including a curved section that branches off to the right for parents and student drop-off in front of the school. The entrance road that stays straight is the bus lane and goes around to the rear of the school.
Brooks Elementary will be two-story building
The Times-Herald
Coweta County's newest school -- an $18 million, 120,780-square-foot facility on the north side of the county -- is shaping up.
What was a pit of dug-up Georgia clay five months ago is developing into a two-story structure with the makings of a gymnasium visible at the rear. Brooks Elementary School is located on a 30-acre site at the corner of Jim Starr and Tommy Lee Cook Roads.
Looking at the construction from a bird's eye view, the first or front section of the school nestled in the trees is the upper level. As the first elementary school to be built with two stories in several years, the front will look like a one-story building. The second lower story, built on the slope of a hillside, will open to the rear of the school.
In Nov. 5 aerial photos contributed by the contractor, Torrance Construction Company, the dug-up part in front of the structural steel midsection will house the administrative area, media center, kitchen and cafeteria.
The middle section, also referred to as the lower level and the two-story part of the school, shows the close-to-completed structural steel and roof decking.
The rear section, which has a roof, shows that there's block up for the walls. It's the gymnasium.
The new school is about 40 percent complete, according to Ronnie Cheek, Coweta Schools' director of facilities. It's scheduled to be complete by the end of June 2009, and open for students in August 2009. About 875 students will be assigned to the system's latest addition.
Those students will come from the elementary schools closest to Brooks. They will be reassigned from either Northside, Canongate, Arnco-Sargent or Arbor Springs Elementary Schools after the school system redraws school district lines.
The new lines are being drawn with the help of a parent committee. The parents were appointed to the committee from the four schools and are currently working with Superintendent Blake Bass "to get a feel for the current district and what will be needed to move students into the new school and make the districts work logically," said Dean Jackson, Coweta Schools spokesman. From 2,600 to 4,300 students could be affected by the redistricting depending on whether more than four elementary schools would be involved. The other two elementary schools that could be impacted are Thomas Crossroads and Willis Road in eastern Coweta.
The committee has been charged with ensuring each school is at its working capacity (not overcrowded or under utilized). One measure of overcrowding is the number of mobile trailers used as classrooms. Arnco-Sargent has nine trailers in use, followed by Willis Road's seven trailers.
Coweta Schools underwent a similar redistricting process in 2005, a year before the opening of Welch Elementary School and Lee Middle School in 2006. That redistricting affected about 1,400 students. Parent committees were involved in redrawing the lines for the new school district maps then, too.
While the parent committee and the superintendent are involved in the redistricting process, the seven members of the Coweta County Board of Education make the final decision where the district lines fall. The board's decision is unlikely to occur before Christmas break, according to Dr. Steve Barker, Coweta Schools' administrative services director.
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There are pro's and con's to everything. I am gratful that Coweta County has built a new school instead of over loading the classrooms of current schools. However, I am concerned about the way they have redistricted. My child is currently at Arbor Spring (a wonderful school)2.8 miles from our home and she will be moved to Brooks which is 8.5 miles from our home. We fear and dread the bus ride, traffic in that rural area, and curvy back roads to get there. Change is difficult, yes. Especially when it there are more negitives than positives.
Posted by Eve at 8:00 PM
While I understand the need for more schools which will include redistricting, I am very upset with the thought of leaving Canongate. I have been a parent at Canongate for the past 15 years. Moving my 7 year old to Arbor Springs will not only upset him tremendously but will also add 45 minutes to my drive time every morning and afternoon. I do work and don't feel that my child should be penalized for that by having to get up earlier so he can get to school on time and I can get to work on time. For those that are fortunate enough to live on one income, that's great but some of us don't have that luxury-and yes, it would be a luxury to me. My child also attends the after school program, so he is at school TEN hours, every day!! I live less than 2 miles from Canongate and much further than that from Arbor Springs but, unfortunately, we are just over the line. To those that say, "let them ride the bus", there is no way I am putting my 7 year old on a bus with middle school and high school kids. I live where I live because of the schools. If I had wanted my child to go somewhere else I would have moved. Why can't the parents vote on these issues and on how to spend OUR tax dollars? After all, Monday thru Friday, this is where the kids spend most of their time, it is their second home. Why wasn't there a meeting for the parents so our opinions could be heard? You can say that is what is going on now but the decision has already been made what to do with my child--WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. GIVE ME THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON THE DISTRICT LINES, INSTEAD OF HAVING A "REPRESENTATIVE", WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT ME OR MY CHILD, DECIDE FOR ME!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Not happy!! at 5:39 PM
how confusing . . . Brooks Elementary, in South Fayette County (probably 5 miles from the Coweta line), has existed for decades . . .
Posted by k at 9:32 AM
I am a Timberidge parent of children who currently ride the bus. They are on the bus for 40 minutes in the afternoon. I wonder how long the bus ride from Brooks will be. How well will a tired, hungry 5 year old be able to learn after spending one hour on the bus every morning and every afternoon? Some adults have difficulty surviving an eight hour workday. Imagine how a 5 year old is supposed to. Besides there will already be a bus taking children to Arbor Springs passing Timberidge every morning, as homes South of Timberidge on 29 are districted for Arbor Springs (view the map carefully). Also, I am interested in how "MANY" neighbors "Making the best if it" surveyed. As a long time resident of Timberige, I have spoke with MANY neighbors who are distraught at the impact this move will have. They are supportive of their children and of course will be supportive of what ever school their children attend, but do not have to be happy about it. I will have children in elementary school for the next decade and am curious if Timberidge will be redistricted again, once the area near Brooks is developed.
Posted by Educated Parent at 8:57 AM
For those of you telling us to put our special needs kids on a bus and send them to school. Do you realize that in the am p/u in this area of coweta co. Elm, middle and high all ride together. My child who is 9 yrs old w/ development delay will not ride the bus with 17 and 18 yr olds. Dont try and vent until you have walked a day in a parents shoes who has been told their child was "slow". Then you can vent until then pls stay off the computer b/c you have know clue how hard this is for an entire family. These kids have on average 4-5 teachers that work w/them throughout the day. Not just one. This is a huge change for these children. Thank god for legal rights for kids w/ disablities.
Posted by upset mother at 12:37 AM
There are two simple choices for the complainers posting here: Homeschool and School Bus.
Posted by anonymous at 7:40 PM
Residents of Timberidge, if forced to send their children to Brooks, would face a drive time that is 3 times what they drive to Arbor Springs (20 minutes versus 6 minutes). Show many any other neighboorhood asked to sacrifice that much! Sayign there is nothing wrong with that is just another symptom of what is wrong with public education
Posted by Someone who can Google Map at 2:47 PM
We are sympathetic to ALL families who have to change schools. This is difficult for everyone. The difference is, Timberidge kids don't HAVE to changed schools. Our kids do not affect the demographics of either school (so we were a toss-up as to which school to attend). It was our committee rep. (that lives in Timberidge) that decided that we wouldn't mind the drive to the new school. Also, there are 10 houses beyond/south of Timberidge that will be PASSING Timberidge to go to Arbor Springs. Interesting!
Posted by Resident at 1:42 PM
"Best school in the county" ? You need to do your research before making this statement. Georgia has notoriously been near the bottom in public school rankings, and I moved to Timberidge so my children did not have to attend some of the other schools in this county. "Best school in the county" sets the bar pretty low, and I doubt the new school will surpass Arbor Springs - which is outstanding - in the statistical ranking used to rate schools. Also, dropping my chidren off on the way to work - I need to access 85 North - will now be a complete hassle.
Posted by Mad Timberidge Resident at 12:18 PM
It seems as if some people in Timberidge think they are the only ones getting moved around. Canongate, Arnco-Sargent, and Northside have neighborhoods that are being redistricted also. Lake Redwine is a much larger neighborhood with many more students than Timberidge, and you don't see any complaints from us. I don't recall getting a ballot or a phone call asking my opinion. The school district has a new school that they need to fill with students. These students have to come from somewhere. There are several children with special needs in Lake Redwine that will be affected, but there are special exceptions for exceptional children. Parents from all four schools have undoubtably put forth many hours of volunteering and probably a lot of fundraising dollars to make our school a place where we want our kids to attend. I can only hope that the parents will get behind the decisions that are reached and make this a smooth transition for all involved (staff, administrators, and students).
Posted by LB at 11:35 AM
As far as the "Subdivision Representative" goes for Timberidge, we know that you do not solely represent this subdivision but when you live here and you are on the committee, then you do represent us! We know that the new school is going to be fabulous, that is not the major concern. The concerns are: the students with Special Needs that are going to have to adapt and make massive changes in their lives- I but you never consulted these families when you mad the decision about making us drive to the new school. The drive is also ridiculous- almost 8 miles into the middle of no where vs. about 3 miles to ASES. And the “growing pains” associated with a new school- like a playground, books, new teachers and administrators, etc. ASES is a wonderful school but they had to share text books when they first opened b/c they didn’t have enough money to buy books for all the kids. And lets not forget about Technology- Active Boards. I’m sure the new school won’t have those in all the classrooms. When you are on a committee to represent the “people” of a community, then you need to factor in ALL needs and concerns, not just your own.
Posted by Resident of Timberidge at 9:35 AM
It's not really inconvenient if your children ride the bus. Before Arbor Springs opened I'm sure people were scared of the change as well, and look at us now. Who's to say that Brooks won't be an even better school than ASES?
Posted by Another Timberidge resident at 9:12 AM
'Frustrated neighbor' you are misinformed. There are no neighborhood representatives in the redistricting process. Each school appoints two SCHOOL representatives to bring fair and unbiased information to the table. There are over 1000 students being affected by this redistricting. If every neighborhood had their say, no students would be moved, and Brooks Elementary would open with zero. Most in Timberidge are supportive of the decision and are committed to making Brooks an excellent school.
Posted by Making the best of it at 10:08 PM
Looks like a great facility but it's location is TERRIBLE!!! With considerations in order to move students from the Timberidge sub on Hwy 29(3 miles from Arbor Springs Elementary)this is a terribly inconvenient and illogical option!!! And as far as the parent committee assigned to speak on our behalf when making these recommendations for the new districts....we're being left out. Typical of any position of appointment on these type committees individual self interests usually becomes the chief factor in the decision making process. Unfortunately this is what our neighborhood members are faced with.
Posted by frustrated neighbor at 9:30 PM
I have been to this site and I am just wondering where are they going to put a playground...?
Posted by concerned parent at 12:38 PM
This is going to be a fabulous school. Not only will the building be wonderful, the students and parents that are moving to Brooks Elementary are going to make it the best school in the county!
Posted by anonymous at 9:51 PM
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I think that your comment is very shallow. They should have a say they are tax payers.
Posted by Jim Smith at 11:48 PM