Controversies don’t slow Whitfield school plans

The bill for a new Whitfield County high school near Prater’s Mill may be lower than school board members expected.

The project was originally estimated to cost nearly $59 million. Bids opened this week put the cost at $43 million. School officials say the slow economy favors just now favors buyers.

“We are excited,” school board Vice Chairman Tim Trew said. “This is good news in bad economic times.”

Also this week, a spokesman for a citizens group opposed to the school, said it will not go forward with a lawsuit against the state Department of Education and Superintendent Kathy Cox. The lawsuit by Concerned Citizens of the Prater’s Mill Community alleges that the state violated the law by approving a site near a flood plain.

A judge last week dismissed the group’s separate lawsuit claiming that the county school board and Superintendent Katie Brochu were misusing taxpayer dollars to build the school’s sewer system.

In an e-mail, spokesman Conrad Easley said his group will respect the judge’s decision. He said it would take so long to get the case against the state into court that site preparation would be “beyond the point of no return.”

The group still worries what building the school will do to the historic area surrounding Prater’s Mill.

“The ultimate survival of Prater’s Mill, as we now know it, is unlikely,” Mr. Easley said. “This will not occur in a day or in a year, but significant change is on the way for all those who have struggled with limited assets to preserve and protect the old mill.”

Whitfield County Schools spokesman Eric Beavers said construction management firm, M.B. Kahn now is making sure the companies that bid on the work can meet the requirements of the project.

School officials said the construction will boost the area’s economy, creating about 400 jobs.

Mr. Trew said the school system is in a great position to be good stewards of the area’s historic assets, but Mr. Easley isn’t convinced.

“They are going to destroy some things before it’s over,” he said.