Dear GLOBE community,
We are excited to share with you some updates on the new Lower Campus that will house our elementary (K–5) grade levels.
First, we have completed two competitive bids to move our construction plans forward. The board has chosen Winter Construction to serve as the general contractor for the renovation, site preparation, and construction work needed to improve the campus prior to move-in. In addition, Modular Solutions was awarded a contract to provide three modular buildings for our new Lower Campus. We are excited to be working with these two new firms, in addition to BDR Partners and Freespace Architecture, as we prepare the space for our academic and athletic programs.
As the closing date on the property approaches, we have continued to move forward on our tax-exempt bond financing plan. GLOBE received an investment-grade rating from Moody’s and closing requirements are almost finalized. We anticipate closing on the property in late February or early March. Construction will begin soon after permitting is completed.
We anticipate that construction at the new Lower Campus will last through May 2025, which will allow us to move in our K–4 elementary grades in August 2025. Our current 3rd grade students will transition to Upper Campus in the 2024–25 school year and will remain at Upper Campus for the 2025–26 school year. All future 5th grade students will be located at the new Lower Campus.
We feel confident in this timing, as Winter Construction has provided the timetable, taking into account lead times of all materials and equipment. The primary outstanding risk to our timeline is the DeKalb County permitting process. That said, we have estimated a reasonable duration for that process and have mitigated the risk as much as possible by using an expeditor for it.
Lastly, the board voted unanimously to approve the purchase of up to two propane buses to begin our pilot transportation program. Please be on the lookout for additional communication from the school as we continue our planning and work to anticipate ridership as accurately as possible. This will inform the total number of buses purchased, as well as timing and route(s).
Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on this exciting project.
Saludos / Cordialement / 此致 敬礼,
Drew Reynolds
Board Chair
Lillian Norton
Vice Chair
Christi Elliott-Earby
Executive Director