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Work continues on additional classrooms at Hardin Reynolds Memorial School (above) and the other six public schools in Patrick County. All the additions are expected to be done by the end of October.

The Patrick County school system is almost finished with a capital construction program that is adding 100,000 square feet and at least 55 new classrooms to the county's seven schools.

And the cost is a real bargain at $24 million, according to Dr. Roger Morris, division superintendent.

"We are really getting a big bang for our buck," Morris said at the Aug. 26 meeting of the Patrick County School Board building committee.

"We're adding on to all seven schools and getting done on time," while maintaining the existing buildings, Morris said.

New elementary schools built today typically cost between $25 million and $30 million, Morris said, while the price of a new high school is around $70 million.

Then there is the cautionary tale of Montgomery County, where the collapse of the Blacksburg High School gym roof under last winter's heavy snows has led to a proposed capital improvement program costing $124.6 million (for two new high schools and a renovated middle school) and requiring a 12-cent hike in the real estate tax rate.

Morris said he had also read about a new school in California costing $500 million.

"We were lucky," Morris said. "We were blessed." He said he has helped plan five school building projects in other areas, and "this is by far the most economical one I've been involved in."

Morris reminded the building committee (Smith River District member Bobby Mangrum, Blue Ridge District member Ronnie Terry, and maintenance director Wayne Scott) that the expansion and renovation project started out with a price tag of $38 million, and the Patrick County Board of Supervisors cut it to $24 million. The school board is chipping in $10 million at $500,000 a year from state construction and lottery funds, Morris said.

When faced with that scenario, Morris said, the school board revised its plans and was going to build some unfinished classrooms to be completed at a later date. Now all the additional classrooms are expected to be finished by the end of October, with December as the contract deadline, he said.

Morris presented a finance report on the capital project dated Aug. 16, showing that expenditures to that date were $18,934,304, with $5,065,695 remaining in the budget.

Expected expenditures remaining total $4,967,498, including $280,000 for classroom furnishings, $100,000 for equipment for the new culinary arts department at the high school, and $170,000 for technology equipment, according to the report.

The school system will receive a water credit of $32,860 from the United States Department of Agriculture and a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) savings credit of $250,000, the report showed.

Bonds remaining, including interest, will total $5,343,169, leaving an unspent balance of $375,671.

Mangrum said none of the "expected expenditures" should be spent until the school board is sure that no "unexpected expenditures" are going to turn up.

If the balance remains intact, the full school board should decide how the funds should be spent, Mangrum said, noting that two possibilities are adding tennis courts and/or improving high school locker rooms.

According to e-mails from the seven school principals, the schools are getting the following new (or renovated) classrooms and other spaces:

*Blue Ridge Elementary School: three new classrooms (music, art, and pre-kindergarten), computer lab, principal's office, reception area, data closet, clinic, mailroom, storage, conference room, school resource officer's office, vault, guidance office, Title I space, English as a Second Language (ESL) space, janitor's closet and four small restrooms.

*Hardin Reynolds Memorial School: six classrooms, four restrooms, clinic, Standards of Learning (SOL) tutoring space, guidance office, and SRO office.

*Woolwine Elementary School: eight new classrooms and four additional office spaces.

*Stuart Elementary School: seven new classrooms, clinic, guidance office, central office, and faculty and staff restrooms.

*Patrick Springs Primary School: 14 rooms added, one renovated into four rooms, two large restrooms, six small classroom restrooms.

*Meadows of Dan Elementary School: new regulation-size gym with stage area, locker rooms, restrooms and foyer; seven classrooms (pre-K, second grade, band, music, art, computer lab and resource room); new office space with front office, principal's office, guidance office, and clinic area; several new restrooms, two walkways, electrical and mechanical rooms, and Internet/phone room.

*Patrick County High School: a three-story addition on the front of the building, with the first floor including four office areas, vault and workroom, and band room with two storage areas and office area; second floor, two offices and two band storage areas; third floor, six classrooms, science lab, two offices and conference room. The new culinary arts area will include one lab/classroom, one dining area and 2.5 classrooms.


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	Work continues on additional classrooms at Hardin Reynolds Memorial School (above) and the other six public schools in Patrick County. All the additions are expected to be done by the end of October. Morris: School project "a big bang for our buck" By Nancy Lindsey The Patrick County school system is almost finished with a capital construction program that is adding 100,000 square feet and at least 55 new classrooms to the county's seven schools. And the cost is a real bargain at $24 million, according to Dr. Roger Morris, division superintendent. "We are really getting a big bang for our buck," Morris said at the Aug. 26 meeting of the Patrick County School Board building committee. "We're adding on to all seven schools and getting done on time," while maintaining the existing buildings, Morris said. New elementary schools built today typically cost between $25 million and $30 million, Morris said, while the price of a new high school is around $70 million. Then there is the cautionary tale of Montgomery County, where the collapse of the Blacksburg High School gym roof under last winter's heavy snows has led to a proposed capital improvement program costing $124.6 million (for two new high schools and a renovated middle school) and requiring a 12-cent hike in the real estate tax rate. Morris said he had also read about a new school in California costing $500 million. "We were lucky," Morris said. "We were blessed." He said he has helped plan five school building projects in other areas, and "this is by far the most economical one I've been involved in." Morris reminded the building committee (Smith River District member Bobby Mangrum, Blue Ridge District member Ronnie Terry, and maintenance director Wayne Scott) that the expansion and renovation project started out with a price tag of $38 million, and the Patrick County Board of Supervisors cut it to $24 million. The school board is chipping in $10 million at $500,000 a year from state construction and lottery funds, Morris said. When faced with that scenario, Morris said, the school board revised its plans and was going to build some unfinished classrooms to be completed at a later date. Now all the additional classrooms are expected to be finished by the end of October, with December as the contract deadline, he said. Morris presented a finance report on the capital project dated Aug. 16, showing that expenditures to that date were $18,934,304, with $5,065,695 remaining in the budget. Expected expenditures remaining total $4,967,498, including $280,000 for classroom furnishings, $100,000 for equipment for the new culinary arts department at the high school, and $170,000 for technology equipment, according to the report. The school system will receive a water credit of $32,860 from the United States Department of Agriculture and a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) savings credit of $250,000, the report showed. Bonds remaining, including interest, will total $5,343,169, leaving an unspent balance of $375,671. Mangrum said none of the "expected expenditures" should be spent until the school board is sure that no "unexpected expenditures" are going to turn up. If the balance remains intact, the full school board should decide how the funds should be spent, Mangrum said, noting that two possibilities are adding tennis courts and/or improving high school locker rooms. According to e-mails from the seven school principals, the schools are getting the following new (or renovated) classrooms and other spaces: Blue Ridge Elementary School: three new classrooms (music, art, and pre-kindergarten), computer lab, principal's office, reception area, data closet, clinic, mailroom, storage, conference room, school resource officer's office, vault, guidance office, Title I space, English as a Second Language (ESL) space, janitor's closet and four small restrooms. Hardin Reynolds Memorial School: six classrooms, four restrooms, clinic, Standards of Learning (SOL) tutoring space, guidance office, and SRO office. Woolwine Elementary School: eight new classrooms and four additional office spaces. Stuart Elementary School: seven new classrooms, clinic, guidance office, central office, and faculty and staff restrooms. Patrick Springs Primary School: 14 rooms added, one renovated into four rooms, two large restrooms, six small classroom restrooms. Meadows of Dan Elementary School: new regulation-size gym with stage area, locker rooms, restrooms and foyer; seven classrooms (pre-K, second grade, band, music, art, computer lab and resource room); new office space with front office, principal's office, guidance office, and clinic area; several new restrooms, two walkways, electrical and mechanical rooms, and Internet/phone room. *Patrick County High School: a three-story addition on the front of the building, with the first floor including four office areas, vault and workroom, and band room with two storage areas and office area; second floor, two offices and two band storage areas; third floor, six classrooms, science lab, two offices and conference room. The new culinary arts area will include one lab/classroom, one dining area and 2.5 classrooms.