ESPLOST V Proposed Project Highlights

At the December 2024 meeting of the Board of Education, Board members approved a proposed ESPLOST V to be voted on by Chatham County residents on March 18, 2025.  The Board vote in the Regular meeting followed a presentation in Informal meeting detailing proposed ESPLOST V projects and their role in the district’s Long Range Facilities Plan.  SOME of the proposed major projects and basic information on plans for those projects are below.  For a complete look at the presentation and list of proposed ESPLOST V projects, see the link to Board Docs at the bottom of this page.

Western Chatham County Multi-Complex (New Facilities)

The rapid growth of western Chatham County’s population is one of the biggest challenges facing the district.  The ESPLOST V proposal would consolidate West Chatham Elementary and West Chatham Middle into a new K-8 School  that would be a neighborhood zoned school with choice programming offered.  In addition to the new K-8 facility, the district also proposes building a new western Chatham County high school on the 100 acres of land at that location and explore the possibility of a new athletic complex on site. 

PROPOSED TIMELINE & FUNDING COST: The project will be funded through ESPLOST V covering design, construction, and equipment. Key milestones include:

• Design Phase: Starting in 2025

• Construction Start: Targeted for 2027

• Completion and Opening: 2029-2030 academic year

ESPLOST V New Facility Estimated Cost: $95M/Athletic Complex Estimated Cost: $20

Rebuild/New Facility for Windsor Forest Elementary School

The current Windsor Forest Elementary facility was built in 1963 and is on the list due to its aging infrastructure. A new facility would provide modern learning spaces, state of the art safety features, energy efficient infrastructure, as well as playgrounds and outdoor spaces.

Proposed Timeline and Funding:

• Design Phase: Beginning in Q3 2026, with detailed architectural plans developed in consultation with school staff, community members, and district leaders.

• Construction Start: Targeted for Q2 2028.

• Project Completion: The new Windsor Forest Elementary School is expected to be completed by Q3 2031, with the goal of opening for the 2031- 2032 school year.

ESPLOST V New Facility Estimated Cost: $51.6M

Rebuild/New Facility for The STEM Academy at Bartlett (w/potential relocation)

In addition to the current facility’s age, the STEM Academy at Bartlett Middle School has a challenge associated with its location. The current location is in a very commercialized area that creates challenges for accessibility (Ingress/egress). Available site acreage also presents limitations for expansion and other amenities including athletics & outdoor learning spaces.  The district will engage the community for further discussion on whether it would be preferable  to rebuild at the current site or move to another. 

Regardless of site, a new facility would offer a number of improvements to include:  Flexible Learning and Lab Spaces • Advanced Technology and Arts Integration • Enhanced Sustainability Features • Increased Enrollment Capacity • Modern Athletic and Recreational Spaces • Added Outdoor Learning Spaces

Proposed Timeline and Funding:

Design and Planning Phase: Beginning in Q4 2025, detailed plans will be developed with input from stakeholders, including teachers, students, and STEM professionals.

• Construction Start: Scheduled for Q3 2027.

• Project Completion: The new STEM Academy at Bartlett is expected to be completed by Q4 2029, in time for the 2030-2031 academic year.

ESPLOST V New Facility Estimated Cost: $70M

Savannah High School and Academic Annex Integration (Renovation/Conversion/Relocation)

Renovation, Program Relocation, and Conversion to Shared Space for Academic Annex.  Two schools occupy the current facility and it is under-utilized. This proposal would potentially move Savannah Early College to a college campus where students already spend the majority of their time and convert some of the unused space to administrative space for the district’s Academic Affairs Division to house Instructional Support and Administrative Support Services.

This would allow for a number of improvements including an HVAC System Upgrade, Roofing completed, an Athletic Facility Upgrade, an Electrical System Modernization, Interior Finishes and Flooring, Furnishings & Equipment.

Funding Source: ESPLOST IV, V & Fund Balance Estimated Cost: $35M

208 Bull Street Academic Programming/Central Office Integration (Renovation/Conversion)

Reimagine the district’s Central Office space to blend cutting-edge education while preserving the civic presence of historic 208 Bull Street. The space would house a design and architecture program for students across the district while maintaining a central office footprint. This would allow the district to renovate Aging Infrastructure to ensure safety, energy efficiency, operational reliability, regulatory compliance, and overall comfort and functionality within a building or facility and improve the Work/Innovative Environment Aligned with Academic Programming:

The facility requires modernization of its offices, interior finishes, and technological infrastructure to align with 21st-century professional needs.

Funding Source: ESPLOST V and Fund Balance Estimated Cost: $85M

There are also proposals for the renovation of both Pooler and Gould Elementary Schools in ESPLOST V along with a potential renovation of Derenne Middle School and Early Childhood Education expansion at Hodge Elementary.  The district is working to gather more community input before finalizing those plans.  Learn more about those proposals and more at the link here.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DAXKY654195E