Our beloved Macon County and City of Franklin have been discussing the funding and construction of a new high school for some time now. Our children are precious and deserve the best opportunities possible in education.
However, it is also our duty to teach them fiscal responsibility and to avoid debt whenever possible. I am a retired structural engineer with over 40 years experience in large construction projects. Therefore, please consider my rough calculation as to a projected cost of the new high school.
[Construction data source: School Planning and Management 20th Annual School Construction Report: “The median high school cost $45 million and provided 173,727 square feet. It was designed to accommodate 1,000 students. The median high school provides 180 square feet per student at $49,000 for each student. The cost per square foot was $235.29.”]
Using the above parameters and those needed for our school the calculation is as follows:
1,400 students x 180 square feet/student = 252,000 square feet
(As per the Franklin Press reporting the current enrollment at our high school is 1,005 but the new school will require a capacity of 1,400.)
252,000 square feet x $235.29/square foot = $59,293,080
I am fully aware that there may be additional costs involved for land acquisition, infrastructure improvements, upgrades to existing educational facilities, etc. but those costs will surely not push the total to $137,000,000.
The state grant for the school construction is $62,000,000 and the county has agreed to a 5% match of that amount, which is $3,100,000. It seems to me that we can complete this project while minimizing debt. (Public debt often means increased property taxes.)
Please believe me that we are extremely proud to be residents of Macon County and are only concerned for the future of our children as well as property owners.
Charley Brunken, Macon County