Since its beginnings in the early 1970′s, many residents of Tega Cay have hoped that there might one day be an elementary school that Tega Cay could truly call its own. While Gold Hill Elementary School has served the children of Tega Cay as a center of educational excellence for many years, many in Tega Cay have longed for a neighborhood elementary school facility that, by its proximity and design, can foster a greater sense of community within our City.

Several months ago, the Fort Mill School District acquired 20+ acres of property along Gold Hill Road, immediately adjacent to the City of Tega Cay. On this property, the Fort Mill School District intends to construct Elementary School #8 – the Tega Cay Elementary School. The proposed facility will be the first two story elementary school structure in the Fort Mill School District and is being designed to accommodate up to 1,100 students. The proposed school site design includes field space and recreation areas as well as significant natural “buffer” areas. One of the most unique features of the proposed site plan calls for an extended driveway area which will enable additional “double stack” staging for the pick-up and drop-off of children. By so doing, the Fort Mill School District intends to help diminish traffic impacts that the new school may introduce to Gold Hill Road. Also unique to the proposed site design are sidewalk and walking trail connection points which will allow parents to walk their children to and from school, if they so desire.

City Staff are currently conducting a study to determine if annexation of the school site into the City is advisable. The findings of this study will be presented to Council in the coming weeks. The Fort Mill School District anticipates that Elementary School #8 will be opened to students in the fall of 2012.

On behalf of the City Council and Staff of the City of Tega Cay, I wish to thank you for your ongoing support of our wonderful community.

Read more about the New Fort Mill Elementary School

Dear Parents,

The summer is almost over and the start of a new school year is very near. When the sounds of band and football practices fill the air, everyone begins to feel the excitement associated with a new start.

Families are busy preparing for the start of the year by purchasing new clothes and school supplies. Along these lines, a special thanks go to the Fort Mill Times, the Fort Mill Care Center, and Fort Mill School District for once again organizing the “Back to School” supplies drive. Because of this effort, all students will hopefully feel ready to learn as we start the 2010- 2011 school term.

Last year, Fort Mill School District was the only district in the state to receive an “Excellent” rating on the state report card. Read the rest….

Dr Epps Welcome Back 2010-2011

Fort Mill School Superintend Dr Keith Callicutt explained to the public audience at last night’s meeting, the property is located on Gold Hill Rd across from Steve’s. The property is currently owned by the McCall family.

The district had been trying to purchase another property for the last couple years for Elementary school 8, but ran into several problems and was forced to enter into condemnation proceedings. After approximately an 8 week search, 3 properties were identified and considered before the McCall’s property was accepted by the 2 agencies and the Fort Mill School District.

Southern Management Group, a hired construction management consultant for the district, said it will take approximately 45 to 60 days to perform the due diligence to make sure the property will be suitable for the new elementary school. The current timeline shows the new elementary school would be open Fall 2012.

Here is SMG’s current report on Elementary School 8:

Fort Mill School District Four

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Elementary School #8

Architect: AAG

Anticipated Bid Date: Early 2010

Anticipated Completion Date: February 2012

STATUS

Over the last eight (8) weeks, we have investigated three (3) new sites. Part of the

investigation was to have SCDOT and OSF make a site visit and review each of the

projects. One of the sites received both agencies approval and we have since entered into

negotiations on the property and have also issued a Letter of Intent (LOI). If the board

elects to enter into a contract on the property, we will immediately begin our due

diligence process which includes soil borings, environments studies, topographical study,

land appraisal, and a boundary survey. The entire process should take approximately 45

to 60 days. We can also begin the site adaption of the new elementary school design at

the time of the contract execution.

If all goes well, we could potentially close on the property within 90 days and begin

construction in August.

BUDGET

o The current design includes space for a 1000 student capacity and remains

approximately $2,000,000 over budget. We are optimistic that the current bidding

environment, in conjunction with increased competition, will aid in reducing the

delta. We are also identifying alternates and Value Engineering items to assist in

bring the project back down to budget.

KEY ISSUES

o Site Acquisition

o PD Approval from the County (Second Reading / final approval) is tentatively

scheduled for early February 2010.

It seems much has to do with the allocation of funding by the state and methodology used to determine funds to all SC School Districts. Read the attached flier for more details => Keep Our Schools Strong and what you can help do about the state funding issue.

By the way, The middle school athletic booster parents are tackling how to keep middle school sports in operation next year. Read about is at their new website for more details at www.fortmillathletics.org .

I.    Public Session – 6:00 p.m.

1.    Approval of Agenda

2.    Statement of Public Notice of Meeting

3.    Moment of Silence

4.    Public Participation

5.    Staff Report

A.    Report on Auditor’s Contract for Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2010- 2012 – Mrs. Leanne Lordo

6.    Action Item

A.    Textbook Adoptions – Mrs. Marty McGinn

7.    Items of the Board

A.    Grassroots Effort Regarding State Legislation

B.    Discussion on School Visits

Here is the official announcement:

Schools Closed Monday

All schools and offices will be closed on February 1. Although main roads are clearing, many secondary roads used by school buses are expected to be dangerous in the morning. The district will use President’s Day as a make-up day.

This post is from the Fort Mill School Distirct Website. Click to go to news feed source

This post is from the Fort Mill School Distirct Website. Click to go to news feed source

This post is from the Fort Mill School Distirct Website. Click to go to news feed source

This post is from the Fort Mill School Distirct Website. Click to go to news feed source