The Cherokee County Board of Education has approved a plan to construct a new Centre Elementary School.

During their regular meeting on Tuesday the board approved an option which includes new administration, special needs, and K-3 classrooms and resource rooms at Centre Elementary.

The current 4th grade building will continue to be used following the repairs from the damage that occurred when a truck collided with one part on the east end. The plan also includes a gymnasium and cafeteria.

The current gymnasium will also continue to be used. The 1929, 1957, and 1969 buildings will be demolished and the area repurposed into a playground and green space area. The board also approved a measure that will fund $500,000 each for Spring Garden, Gaylesville, Sand Rock, Cedar Bluff, Cherokee County High School and Cherokee County Career & Tech School and $250,000 to CMS. These funds can be used toward accessibility, water filtration, security, At Risk repairs and paving.

Following the meeting we spoke to Centre Elementary School Principal Wes Neyman –

The estimated cost to complete the project is $10,578,000 and will take approximately 14-16 months to complete. Superintendent Mitchell Guice said that the plans are to have the campus complete by the Fall of 2019 if construction begins by June 1.