County, School Boards Hear Proposed Hospital Expansion

Courtsey of WRBE, "Your HomeTown Radio"
A special called George County Board of Education meeting on Friday morning turned out to be more than just discussing bids openings. The meeting was originally called to discuss bid openings for a roofing job at Rocky Creek Elementary; new time clocks; replacing the track at the high school and the building of a new soccer field at the high school.
A bid of $24,000 by Scott Company was accepted for re-roofing a building Rocky Creek; a bid of $61,681 was accepted to re-place current time clocks in the district with hand scanned clock, which was chosen for additional security and several bids were accepted to begin work on the track at the high school and a discussion ensued on the newly proposed soccer field before the decision was made to move forward with that project as well.
Following the final decisions of the proposed bids; the school board was joined by George Regional Hospital Administrator Paul Gardner and all five members the George County Board of Supervisors.
Gardner presented a proposed hospital expansion, which will include a two-story add-on and a small expansion to the parking area.
The school board members and the Supervisors all seem to agree that expansions to the Hospital was a positive asset to the county and needed their support.
We are “trying to minimize encroachment in any direction as much as we can,” Garner told the boards.
George County Middle School Principal Pasty Horne stated her concerns but stated the proposed plan would have little effect on the current student situation and any activity changes could be addressed.
Supervisor Larry Havard said that he supported the expansion stating, “The Hospital is a vital part of our county and they have got to grow.”
Before adjourning, the school board voted to support Gardner as he moves forward with any surveys and appraisals, which will be needed before the project can move forward.