Published: July 23, 2008 03:20 pm      

Residents speak out on Charlestown High School project

With construction starting outside Charlestown High School’s cafeteria, about 100 people sat inside Tuesday evening, awaiting answers to their questions.

Many said they had heard rumors that the construction project slated for the school was going to be scaled back to help fund the project at Jeffersonville High School, which came in about $3 million over budget.

At the Greater Clark County Schools board forum, Superintendent Tony Bennett spoke to the crowd, answering many questions after a presentation was made by a representative from The Estopinal Group, which is creating the design for the new school.

“This [project], as you can see, is already starting,” Bennett said, pointing out the cafeteria windows at the foundation and site work that had begun “We are now in motion to do this project.”

Bennett told the crowd that the drawings for the new building are about 75 percent complete. After that is done, the project will go into the construction documents phase. That’s when the corporation will start seeking bids.

Bennett said he hopes the $39.8 million in changes will create a model school for others to simulate.

One person stood and asked what would happen if CHS’ bids come in over budget, like JHS’ had.

“We’re going to be aggressive and we’re going to deliver,” Bennett said in seeking out competitive bids and coming in within budget.

He said now is the time. Bennett said with the economy slowing, work for construction companies is waning. Therefore, those who really want a job of this caliber will bid low to ensure they win.

As for paying for JHS’ shortfall, Bennett said he hopes to make up that difference with leftover contingency funds — which have been saved in case unforeseen costs arise during construction — and unused capital-project funds. If those don’t cover it, money left over from other construction projects will make up for the difference, though Bennett said he doesn’t expect that to have to happen.

Another main concern that many brought up was the capacity of the new building. In the 2007-08 school year, CHS had an enrollment of 663, according to the Indiana Department of Education. The changes will accommodate 900. The site has room to expand to fit 1,200 if needed later.

Some questioned whether that will work if Charlestown sees a huge growth from the bridge that is proposed to connect to Louisville on the east side of the county.

Board member Missy DeArk said members already have looked at that issue. She said the original plan was for 1,200 students. However, she said that was turned down by the state.

Bennett talked about the economy, saying that has slowed growth in schools. However, he said growth is expected once the bridge comes in.

“We are preparing and anticipating that,” he said.

Another audience member told Bennett that having the baseball and softball fields placed side-by-side with a concessions area in-between will be a hazard. He said foul balls may fly over, hitting those in the space between the two or even reaching those in the stands watching the other game.

Bennett said he will take a look at that issue.

Board member Christina Gilkey questioned Bennett on the safety of the glass, which is abundant along the main hall of the school. Those working with the project said the glass can sustain near hurricane-force winds.

After the more than two-hour meeting, Bennett stayed to answer any more questions the community members had.

Many who were interviewed said the meeting eased some fears.

“It dispelled a lot of rumors,” Bill Crase said, referring to people saying the base amount of money for CHS was going to be reduced to pay for JHS’ overages. “I feel like the community is satisfied after this meeting and the project is making progress and we will get the school.”

“I feel a little better than I did when I got here,” said Terri O’Leary, whose whole family graduated from CHS. Her youngest son is going to be a sophomore this fall.

“I think we are going to get what they say we’re going to get,” she added, saying she, too, had heard the rumors of being cut back. “I hope that we do.”