Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Douglas Eury
Committee Member
David Shellman
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
Atlanta, Board of Education, capital projects, construction costs, decreasing revenue, educational finance, facility improvement, facility planning, funding methods, growth, Gwinnett County, high school construction, Interstate 85, Jackson County, Jackson County School System, land acquisition, rural communities, school construction, school facilities, school planning, school system growth, state revenue, student enrollment, superintendent
Abstract
The Jackson County School System is located in a rural area just northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Adjacent to Jackson County is the Gwinnett County School System, the largest and fastest growing school district in the state. Current growth in Gwinnett County is occurring toward the northeast, along Interstate 85. Jackson County’s growth has created student enrollment issues for the school system, including the need for additional classrooms and schools at a time of decreasing state and local revenue for such projects.
This study examined the effects of various funding methods available for capital projects needed to keep up with growing student enrollment. In addition, the effects of various methods of reducing construction costs were examined. Board of Education members, the superintendent, and system directors determined which methods were acceptable and most appropriate for the system and community. This was accomplished by evaluating those options that appeared to be the most appropriate for Jackson County Schools. As a result of this study, the Jackson County Board of Education utilized at-risk construction for a new high school construction project.