Fulton County’s Capital Plan

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

This coming May, voters in Fulton County will consider approving SPLOST V and the school system is hoping it passes. Nearly 1 in 5 Fulton County schools buildings have been identified as being in “below average” physical condition or worse, according to a new study commissioned by the school system. The 21 buildings include both schools as well as administrative offices. The buildings are not considered unsafe but can suffer from a range of problems – from leaky roofs to old heating and cooling systems to decrepit plumbing. At least six of the buildings are considered to be in “very poor condition” based on the study conducted by a consulting group as part of the school district’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan for the next 5 years. The plan identifies capital projects and equipment purchases, and provides a planning schedule and suggests options for financing the plan.

To help give a visualization to this problem I headed over to Riverwood High School to meet with school officials as they took me on a tour pointing out some of the problems they are having with the property. Overcrowded hallways, antiquated equipment, counselor offices in storage closets, teaching supplies stuffed into bathrooms, and rooms in various states of disrepair were all pretty evident in my short time visiting the school. This is just one of the 21 buildings that the county is hoping to get help on. Take a look inside.

Students fill the congested hallways during a class change at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Students fill the congested hallways during a class change at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Antiquated equipment in the media center at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Antiquated equipment in the media center at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Antiquated equipment in the media center at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Antiquated equipment in the media center at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Aman Folami Reese (left) studies in the antiquated media center at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Aman Folami Reese (left) studies in the antiquated media center at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Shaban Hassani (left) Ryan Bell and Carlo Ajcot head to class in the auxiliary gym in need of floor repairs at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Shaban Hassani (left) Ryan Bell and Carlo Ajcot head to class in the auxiliary gym in need of floor repairs at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Bleachers are in need of repair at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Bleachers are in need of repair at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Flooring in the auxiliary gym is in need of floor repairs at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Flooring in the auxiliary gym is in need of floor repairs at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

A fence blocks the stage in the main gym, now used for storage, at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

A fence blocks the stage in the main gym, now used for storage, at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

A counselor's office is located in a room marked as storage at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

A counselor’s office is located in a room marked as storage at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Breakers are easily accessible in the hallways at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Breakers are easily accessible in the hallways at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

A women's restroom is used as extra storage for art supplies at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

A women’s restroom is used as extra storage for art supplies at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Students fill the antiquated cafeteria at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.

Students fill the antiquated cafeteria at Riverwood High School in Atlanta on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.