New classrooms. New facilities. New equipment.
$40 million.
In May 2022, voters approved a multi-million dollar bond to build new facilities, remodel existing buildings, and buy new equipment.
A new Career Technology Education (CTE) wing was added to the high school, finished just in time for the new school year — teachers moved in the day before school started. These rooms give students more space for robotics, engineering, and health science courses. One of the teachers who got relocated was robotics teacher Colton Mullins.
“For the last four years, PGTV and robotics have had to share the same space,” he said. “We no longer have to do that which helps tremendously.”
This area has new tools for cutting metal, a garage door that leads to a patio for power tools, and other tools that will help the robotics team improve. These additions, along with furniture and health science equipment, are perks of the bond.
Health science teacher Stephanie Fincher also moved into a new classroom.
“I love that we have a ‘hospital bay’ for students to enact real-life scenarios,” Mrs. Fincher said. “I especially love that I have windows now.”
While these teachers love their new space, there are even more upgrades in store.
During summer and the first week of school, construction started for the new cafeteria. The first phase was filling in the pit to make the floor level for the renovation.
“This area will have 500 seats, making lunches less crowded and allowing for two lunches rather than three,” said Head of Operations Matt Fry. This could help with the long lines for food, the overcrowded tables, and it might encourage students to eat there — instead of eating in classrooms.
“The new cafeteria will be ready for the beginning of the 2024 school year, roughly a year from now,” Mr. Fry said.
The serving line area will be designed similar to a food court, with lines available for different meal options and grab-and-go options.
In addition to more space and more food options, there will be a brand new face to the cafeteria.
“The outside facade will feature tall windows to bring in natural light and a more open feel,” Mr. Fry said.
As for the current cafeteria, this will be turned into smaller rooms to accommodate student groups, like student council and other clubs, as well as new counselor offices, and a resource center for parents and students. There are still a lot of projects to be finished and started in the next few years.
“The scope and final look of smaller upgrades are in the planning stages now,” Mr. Fry said.
Here are some things to look out for at the high school: gates at all of the entrances in the parking lots, new flooring and furniture in some parts of campus, upgraded LED lighting, four new athletic facilities, and a state-of-the-art jumbo-tron for Hawks Stadium.
“I’m excited about all of it to be honest,” head football coach Josh Gibson said. “All $40 million of it.”
