"Preparing for the future" by Rabyn Ratliff, The Valdosta Daily Times, March 29, 2008. Slated to open in the fall of next year, the new middle school will be located off River and Reed Roads, and will be the first school erected on the multi-facility site, which will also house an elementary and high school in the future. “What this design does is create more of “a community in a community,” said architect Valdon Smith, of Manley Spangler Smith Architects. “We’ve done several schools like this up in North Georgia and throughout the state.” According to Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith, even amid the changes of today’s modern society, families prefer the idea of having neighborhood schools, close to home. "the process of progress" by Greg Sullivan, The Morgan County Citizen, January 31, 2008. “Things are on schedule,” Monk said. “This will be a Cadillac facility…it’ll be very nice.” Superintendent Stan DeJarnett said he’s excited about the new facility. “By the time we get that done, we’re going to have about as nice an athletic facility, for a school our size, as anywhere in the state,” DeJarnett said. “Lowndes High dedicates new $8 million gymnasium” by Billy Bruce, The Valdosta Daily Times, September 23, 2007. It looks more like a modern civic arena or a state-of-the-art facility on a college campus than it does a high school gymnasium. “This is something that has been a dream of many residents for a long time,” said Lowndes Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Smith prior to the 2 p.m. dedication ceremony. “This will be a landmark, not just for Lowndes High School, but for the entire community. It is a testament to the education of the whole child. There’ll be a lot more than basketball games happening here.”

"Finishing touches put on new school" by Chris Reinolds,
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 15, 2006.

Assistant Principal Charlie Beverly said the new school is economically efficient.

"They've built an outstanding school for a good price, from what I can tell. Every area whether it be academic or athletic...is outstanding, " Beverly said.

Construction officials are also excited about the "mechanical mezzanine," which allows workers to conduct maintenance throughout the school without disrupting classes.

 

“Creekview High Taking shape in east Cherokee” by Grant Sinclair, Cherokee Ledger News Community, August 18, 2005.

“Each of the classroom wings has a mechanical mezzanine level above it to house the heating and air units for every classroom. ‘So if one unit goes out, only one classroom will be disrupted, the one without heat or air,’ Sarks said. ‘And the workers will not have to disturb the classroom to do maintenance or repairs.’ “

“ Creekview High School is, I am quite sure, not just an outstanding educational institution, but will most likely win some major design awards,’ said CCSD Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo.”

"Smooth schooling" by Sarah E. Alexander,
Cherokee Tribune, August 3, 2005.

Cherokee County Schools Principal, Dr. Lou Manzella, of Freedom Middle School was interviewed by the Cherokee Tribune.

"Manzella said the school has exceeded everyone's expectations."

"'I'm overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the school and how functional it is, 'he said. 'I think the combination of the teachers, the technology and the facility itself will enhance student achievement.'"

"Freedom Middle eighth-grade teacher Bob Daniel said the technology in the new school is outstanding. 'I think everybody is excited about being in a new place,' he said, adding he likes the school's outdoor courtyard. 'It will be a wonderful theater for presenting speakers and special programs.'"

"County's newest school built with future in mind" by Bob Paslay,
The News Daily, July 18, 2005.

Clayton County Schools Director of Maintenance, James Conard, was quoted as saying:

"The school is definitely designed to provide for expansion."

"Conard said the newest school was 'quite a bargain,'" coming in at $83 a square foot while some new construction is well over $100 a square foot."

"The school was also designed to make it easier to maintain. Conard shows a row of infrastructure like heating and air-conditioning ductwork designed along a long corridor with plenty of room for maintenance workers to get to it for any repair."

"Whitewater High School Designed for 'Wow!' " by J. Frank Lynch,
The Citizen, January 28, 2004

"Come August, they'll cross over to the "Promised Land" - a fully finished, completely outfitted $25 million Whitewater High School complex delivered on time and, remarkably, under budget."

"Facilities Service Director Mike Satterfield proudly calls Whitewater the "prototype high school" for the futures, and not just in Fayette County. A meeting of school facilities managers from around the state will come to Fayetteville next fall just to see what the talk is about."

“School construction budgets on track. Interest, low bids help Clayton avoid cutbacks, retail growth boosts Henry” by S.A. Reid,
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 30, 2003, page J1.

“Clayton and Henry County schools continue to hold their own despite a downturn in sales tax revenues that’s forced some other metro districts to postpone or cancel school construction projects.”

“Also helping is that some of its projects and land purchases have come in below budget, according to a schools spokesman.”

“2 middle schools closer to building” by Kathy Wagstaff,
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 14, 2002, page J1.

This article describes Bells Ferry and Owen’s Store Middle Schools in Cherokee County.

“ The middle schools will have a new look that includes metal roofs and a two-story design that allows for less acreage.”

“State-of-the art school gearing up $6 million facility gets ready for fall opening” by Julie K. Miller, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 20, 1994, page J1.

River’s Edge Elementary School in Clayton County was the firm’s first design to include the mechanical platform design feature.

“A lot of talking to those who will use the building went into the planning of the school, which is reflected in Spangler and Manley’s architectural design.”

“But it’s the roof overhead that has the system’s maintenance crews, bean counters and other school administrators giddy with delight. Instead of the usual flattop school buildings of the past, River’s Edge has an A-shaped roof that allowed the builders to install the heating and air-conditioning units inside, thereby saving “lots of money” in repairs, vandalism and routine maintenance.”

“ ’We’re ahead of our time on this,’ Pete McQueen, Assistant Superintendent for Auxiliary Services.”

Henry County planned on using a similar design.
“ ‘It is sharp,’ said Henry School Superintendent Gary Boehmer. Added Assistant Superintendent Preston Malcom: ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’ ”