CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Habersham County Schools is moving forward with plans to renovate playgrounds at all eight elementary schools, with officials targeting a November Board of Education vote on a design-build contractor for the project.
Assistant Superintendent David Leenman gave the board an update on the project during its Sept. 10 work session, calling the playground renovations one of the district’s major undertakings.
“This is a very important thing for the school board, for Mr. Franklin, for our community, and it’s a big project,” Leenman said.
The project is funded through the ESPLOST program approved by voters in May and is expected to update the playgrounds at all eight elementary schools within a calendar year.
Leenman said the district intends to move deliberately rather than rush the project.
“We want to do it all and do it right, and take our time with it, and be very slow, meticulous, and thoughtful and intentional along the way,” he said.
The plans call for three age-appropriate playground areas at each elementary school, serving students in different grade levels. The equipment will be sized appropriately for the ages of the students using each area.
The renovations also are intended to address accessibility and inclusivity requirements, including shade structures, ADA-compliant equipment and pathways that allow all students to access the playgrounds.
Bidding process begins
The district’s draft request for proposals is currently undergoing legal review, Leenman said. If approved, the district hopes to post the RFP by Sept. 15.
The tentative procurement schedule calls for prospective vendors to participate in an all-day conference and site visits at the eight elementary schools near the end of September.
Vendors will have until Oct. 6 to submit questions or requests for clarification.
The deadline for proposals and the public opening of those proposals is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at the school system’s annex.
A selection committee consisting of parents, community members, school administrators and school personnel will then evaluate the proposals and interview vendors Oct. 29.
The district hopes to bring its recommendation to the Board of Education for approval at the board’s Nov. 10 meeting.
Leenman said the timeline is tentative and could be affected by weather or other factors.
“We have a great plan, but you know they say about a plan,” he said.
Project tied to ESPLOST
The playground renovations were among the major projects highlighted by school officials during the campaign for renewal of the district’s ESPLOST.
The district has described the project as an opportunity to replace aging playground equipment while improving safety, accessibility, shade and inclusivity at elementary schools.
Leenman said the district wants the renovations to be done in a way that will provide long-term value rather than requiring frequent replacement or additional work.
“This is not something that we want to have to continue to touch every year, every five years,” he said. “We want to do it all and do it right.”
The project will now move into the competitive bidding process, with the board expected to select a design-build vendor in November if the current timeline remains on track.
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