The Lincoln County Board of Education set the date and time to review the bids for the construction of the new high school at its regular meeting held Tuesday, November 4.

The bids were opened on Tuesday, November 11, at 3 p.m. The board will meet on Monday, November 17, at 7:15 p.m. to discuss the bids.

In September, the board adopted the final plans for the new high school, which will be located off of Metasville Road.

According to David O'Neal, an architect with the firm of Hughes, Beattie, O'Neal, and Law, the new building will cover 164,865 square feet, which does not include a 2,100- square-foot green house and outbuildings, measuring a total of 6,737 square feet.

The school will feature three major wings, with a major hallway running left to right. The plans also call for one central entrance, two minor entrances into the gymnasium and auditorium, and one entrance at the back.

The total cost of the building is estimated at $22,800,000, with the bid for site improvements coming in at an additional $5,048,186. The project will be funded by capital outlay monies from the state and bond revenues, supported by SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and property taxes.

Depending on how the bids stack up for the building, the board may have to cut an item or two from the project. The eight identified deductible alternatives are:

.. Delete the greenhouse and the concrete slab on which it rests.

According to Dr. Randall Edmunds, superintendent of schools, the system can apply for state funding for the greenhouse.

.. Delete selected items from the list of equipment for the professional foods lab.

.. Delete the cover on the rear walkways.

.. Delete all Terrazzo flooring and substitute tile in the corridors.

.. Delete the Clerestory windows and the raised roof section over the main corridor.

.. Delete four classrooms. .. Make substitutions in the lighting system at the athletic field. All pole bases and structures will remain as specified.

.. Delete all requirements of the athletic field lighting system.

.. Delete the data/voice networking system.

It is hoped that the bid for the new school building will be awarded at the board's November 17 meeting.

In other business, the board:

.. Was informed by Superintendent Edmunds that bids for installing sewerage lines, which will connect the new school to the City of Lincolnton's sewerage system, will be opened Tuesday, December 2.

.. Was informed by Edmunds that the Georgia DOT has no money at the present time to help construct the access road to the new school.

"The DOT has overspent and doesn't have any funds right now," said the superintendent. "However, we hope to have the $35,000 we need from the DOT for the base and surfacing in the spring."

He went on to say that the DOT has cancelled the clearing and draining portion of the initiative and has agreed to allow the school system to proceed with its part of the project.

.. Reviewed financial reports for the School Accounts for the period of July 1, 2008, through September 30, 20008; the Construction Fund through October 31, 2008; the SPLOST Summary Fund through October 31, 2008; and the General Fund for the period from July 1, 2008, through October 31, 2008.

Regarding the SPLOST Summary Fund, Superintendent Edmunds said, "The good news is we saw an increase of approximately $15,000 for last month. The bad news is we are down from last year.

"In my opinion, the lake being low has a lot to do with it, particularly this time of the year."

Concerning the Construction Fund, Dr. Edmunds noted that the first draw, which amounted to $500,000, was made in October for site preparation. The next draw will be for approximately $1 million, again for site preparation.

"They have really worked on moving dirt this past month," said the superintendent. "We have the money from the bond sale, which will get us through May before we need more funds."

As for the General Fund, Edmunds said October 31 represented 33 percent of the Fiscal Year, but only 23 percent of the projected revenues have been collected. "Although tax bills are out, taxes aren't due until December 20. Still, we have enough in the Fund Balance to keep us from having to borrow money before the taxes come in."

.. Heard Superintendent Edmunds congratulate LCHS as the winner of the Governor's Cup for Region 7-A.

The state and region winners were selected on the basis of three-year average gains from their most recent SAT average, based on scores from participating seniors in critical reading, math, and writing.

The school received a regional championship trophy and a $1,000 grant to fund SAT preparation initiatives.

.. Voted to approve Dr. Robert Williams, board chairman, to serve as the GSBA (Georgia School Boards Association) Legislative Liaison for FY 2009.

.. Heard the first reading of revisions to the Remedial Education Policy. The policy will be altered to reflect changes at the state level. The state recently agreed to allow school systems to spend remedial funds on middle school students, not just high school students.

.. Was informed by Superintendent Edmunds that the first two play-off games (November 14 and 21) will take place at Buddy Bufford Field.

.. Was informed by Dr. Edmunds that LCMS/LCHS was recognized by the Georgia Department of Education for showing high student participation in the school lunch and breakfast programs for FY 2006 and FY 2007.

During FY 2006, 75 percent of students in Georgia schools ate lunch each day and 30 percent ate breakfast. In FY 2007, 75 percent ate lunch and 31 percent, breakfast. These figures are among the highest in the nation.

At LCMS/LCHS, 86 percent of students ate lunch; whereas, 38 percent of students ate breakfast during both FY 2006 and FY 2007.

.. Was informed by Edmunds that "The Panorama," the school yearbook at LCHS, can now be ordered online or by telephone.

.. Heard the superintendent discuss revisions made by the Internal Revenue Service to the regulations governing 403(b) tax sheltered annuities for teachers.

.. Voted to approve fund-raising requests made by the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club and the LCHS Girls Basketball Team.

.. Voted to accept the retirement of Ralph Martin from his maintenance/ custodial position at LCES, effective November 30, 2008.

The meeting was then recessed until 7:15 p.m. on Monday, November 17, when the bids for the new school will be reviewed.