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Douglas County board approves $214.8 million budget for Lithia Springs High School replacement
Summary
The board approved a $214,776,034.39 budget for the Lithia Springs High School replacement project, citing SPLOST and state capital outlay funds as sources; staff warned of standard construction contingencies including rock, water/sewer authority costs and possible change orders.
MADAM CHAIR — The Douglas County School System board on Sept. 15 approved the budget for the Lithia Springs High School replacement project, with staff reporting a total project cost of $214,776,034.39 and a funding plan that relies primarily on SPLOST with additional state capital outlay funds.
The numbers: Assistant Superintendent of Operations Chris Small presented the recommendation and stated the project cost as $214,776,034.39. He said the SPLOST contribution would provide the bulk of the funding and that state capital outlay funds of $11,860,230 were included in the budget.
Contingencies and oversight: Dr. North told the board the budget now reflects full costs — including architectural and general-manager fees that were not always listed in prior presentations — and that bids have been received. Board members pressed staff on common cost drivers: subsurface rock, water and sewer authority (WSA) requirements and other change orders. Small said the site bid for site work was roughly $17.4 million and that contractors have agreed to hold prices for the duration of the multi-stage, four-year project where practical.
Cost comparisons: In response to a question from board member Mr. Jackson, Small compared per-square-foot figures from New Manchester High School in 2010 to current estimates, saying costs per square foot rose from about $258 in 2010 to about $471 in early 2025, with further escalation possible in future years.
Board action: After questions about oversight, contingency planning and contract timing, the board moved and approved the Lithia Springs High School replacement project budget; the chair announced the item as favorable.
What remains unclear: The transcript contained a large numeric figure for the SPLOST line item that appears garbled in the meeting audio transcript; the meeting materials and board packet should be consulted for the official SPLOST line-item amount and final funding schedule.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with contract administration and weekly project oversight meetings described in the meeting; change orders or WSA-required work could require additional board approvals if costs increase.
