Time Line for Information concerning:

Macon-Bibb Board of Education mismanagement of finances

1. Minutes reflecting school Board actions on use of Real Estate Agents

March 20, l997 - motion by School Board member Mrs. Betty Phillips to pay real estate commissions for sale of certain properties "up to 8%". December 11, l997 Eberhardt and Barry granted contract for real estate sales service (I have requested this contract but so far I can't get it)

Information on Santa's Forest Project # 1469-100-

Time Line 4/8/1998- documents from Jones' brothers to Art Barry (Coldwell Bankers) offering Santa's Forest for $26,000 per Acre.

4/9/ l998 - letter from Art Barry to Janice Rainey-Whitby at BCBE (Bibb County Board of Education) about offer from Jones' along with information about a sewer coming for a subdivision one Jones brother is planning across the street from the proposed school site.

4/21/ l998 - I learned that Santa's forest was being offered to the school board for a high school and middle school. I called G. Paul Jones, one of the owners, and he confirmed this, but stated he was sure the school board would not take it at that price. He told me he would be "astounded", "astonished" and "amazed" if they took the offer. He said it was a very "rich" price "$26,000" per acre.

4/28/ l998 Letter from Steve Wilson concerning Commission to Art Barry "3. Art Barry is in the process of working out the amount of commission he proposes to be paid, and that figure is blank. However, I will assume unless you advise me otherwise that a commission of 10% is acceptable. 4. The contract is conditioned on utilities being available at the property lines, However, I believe Art stated yesterday that sanitary sewer and water had not yet been run to the lines." Sewer is still not at the line today (July 2000).

4/30/1998 - I went to G.Paul Jones' for a party and he talked with me for some time about the deal and that the school board had accepted the offer and that he was "amazed" there was "no negotiations" at all.

5/1/1998 Contract between Jones family and BCSB signed by Betty Phillips President and Gene Buinger Superint.

5/5/1998 - Regular School Board meeting. A number of citizens attended and brought out facts about problems with the Santa's Forest site specifically concerning the roads and intersections, the location at the county line and other problems with the site. Mr. Amerson discussed the fact that he had land much less expensive if they would only talk with him.¨

June 02,1998 5pm - Special Called School Board session to discuss land acquisition at Santa's Forest: Mr. Ron Williams addressed board discussed the State's Guidelines in choosing school sites. Sam Hollis addressed problems with the site, Gaylen McKinley of Thomaston made a graphic presentation to the board about physical characteristics of the site and how "its shape inhibits development of an appropriate high school plan; its terrain would require extensive grading that would be both expensive and harmful to vegetation; and wetlands and storm drainage system in the middle of the site would make much of the area unusable" (quotes from newspaper on 6/3/98).

John Davis offered sites 1-3 additional sites: may choose any amount from 348 acres on Ayers Road for $8,000 per acre (sewer and water already available) ; 100+ acres on Lamar/Thomaston Road and ---- Northside Drive for $12,500 (sewer and water already available. I was told by Gene Kernegan BD member this was the best site because of the density of students there with Lake Wildwook, Barrington Hall and the 1000 acres Mr. Fickling is developing around this site).

Steve Slocumb of Hudson and Marshall Company showed site #4 on Bass Road may choose any amount from 216 acres for $13,800 per acre (sewer and water already available). The site was listed form 1.8 million but one owner would return $420,000 back to the school if they choose the site bringing the cost to 1.38 million. (School board said no and claimed a Gas line was the problem, but gas line at Kmart was said to be an asset for that site?).

Mr. Bill Ramsbottom showed site #5: 140 acres on Lamar Road East for $25,000 per acre (sewer and water already available) .

Mr. Frank Amerson offered site #6: 90+ acres on New Forsyth Road for $16,500 per acre (sewer and water already available).

6/5/ l998 Letter to Tribble and Richardson from Atlanta Gas Light: "Re: Location of gas mains within a 3.1 mile radius of the proposed site of a new school...Atlanta Gas Light has an 8" steel natural gas line, currently operating at approximately 450 psig, within a right-of-way paralled to Rivoli Drive and the railroad tracks. Also within the 3.1 mile radius is a 12" steel line, currently operating at approximately 460 psig, that ties into the 8" Southwest Georgia line, north of the Bibb/Monroe County line." Attachment #6 "15 acres of jurisdictional wetland. This includes a 10 acre pond and 5 acres of stream beds and stream buffer zones". Attachment #2 "Sanitary sewer is currently unavailable at the proposed school site.... not been determined whether gravity sewer connection to the Macon Water Authority System is feasible....(or) lift station (will be necessary)."

6/18/ l998 BCSB awards Beers-Integral-Harmon the contract of Program Manager for the Bond Capital Outlay.

6/24/ l998 appraisal of Santa's Forest by citizens' group for 1.1 million

6/30/ l998 Document received by BCBE from Geosciences Job No. MCG 98-261 on water/rock drilling evaluation " our report and summary should be considered to be preliminary pending our review of the site grading plans. Our evaluation consisted of a site reconnaissance and the performance of fourteen soil test borings at the proposed site.....Ground water was encountered in four of the borings at the time of drilling operations....Rock or partially weathered rock (PWR) was found in three of the borings...site appears suitable for the proposed construction. A more detailed subsurface investigation should be performed once final site designs are available. (pages 6,7- Item 5.4 Difficult Excavation and Blasting).

7/1/98 Georgia Dept of Education to BCSB - "this property will be a good site for a school" (I was told they thought only an elementary school was going there and some documents do state that).

7/2/ l998 Letter from BCBE to Fickling to exchange land and has state approval for this

7/2/ l998 Tribble and Richarson environmental site assessment - Identified wetlands, etc.

7/9/1998 Temporary Restraining Order issued by Culpepper!

7/31/98 Appraisal of Santa's Forest for School Board by Stribling group - instead of using true comparables, they utilized the following : Institutional - Health Care Facility on Zebulon Road, Speculative Land - Riverside Drive @ I-75, Speculative Land - Golf Driving Range Skipper Road, Speculative Land - Bass Road west of I-75 Macon (Mable White Baptist Chr), Residential Land - 6779 Forsyth Road (home of Bill and Neva Fickling), Commercial Land - 5915 Zebulon Road (Vineville Baptist Church). (I told Gene Kernegan that the site would never be appraised at $26,000 per acre and he said he had instructed Janice Rainey Whitby to tell the appraisers to value the Santa' Forest site at the highest institutional amount they possibly could and that they would get the amount they wanted).

------1998 State evaluation Section III: Safety Hazards :High pressure gas lines, Lakes, Railroad within 1/4 mile and heavy traffic streets or highways (I 475 within 1 mile). Description: "Rolling topography typical of the Piedmont area. Large pond across and north of the site with a smaller pond on site. Three to four drainage areas on the property. An estimated 3-15 acres of wetlands and other jurisdictional areas on the property." (There is a small cemetery also that has never been addressed). Grading for Building- "Moderate" Rock Excavation -"Unlikely" (Geosciences report did find rock). Property zoned Agricultural and Adjacent community is Undeveloped (Agricultural) despite the School Board appraisal comparing this land primarily to commercial and industrial sites).

8/12/00 Interlocutory Injunction Hearing - Judge ruled legal for BCSB to purchase the property. The Judgment was docketed at 11:55 Am.

8/12/00 The transfer of the property: Warranty deed stamped 11: 57 Am (2 minutes after judgment

10/22/ l998 appeal docketed in Supreme

10/28/ l998 School board asked for closing information to go to Supreme Court despite the fact that this was not part of the official trial record

9/3/ l999 Telegraph reports on BCSB meeting "some of the board members...expressed reservations. Both high school-middle school complexes feature a single building rather than the multibuilding 'campus' feel some board members had expected...save(s us)...from... wetlands on the site" was Gene Dunwoody Sr.'s reasoning for the design.

10/7/ l999 BCSB called meeting - "Charlie Weaver, BIH was introduced as the new Program Directors" (I have been told he has been fired). "Career Center...There was discussion concerning the projected 2.9 Million cost overrun. Mr. Odom and Mrs. Phillips believed that the community could be counted on to help defray the cost because of the Center's overall significant contribution to business and community (I have seen nothing to substantiate that the community intends to bail them out of any failed projects

10/21/ l999 - "Mrs Mary Evelyn Feibelman, parent of two BCSSystem graduates, and three children currently enrolled in BC schools, addressed the board about her concern that the new middle and high school facilities will be located on the same campus (should have been written in the same building). She asked the board to investigate this matter further. She read a letter from her husband, Dr. Don Feibelman (Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist), who voiced the same concerns."

10/29/ l999 BCSB received letter from Dept of Army to provide maps, drawing of school and any other info on wetlands that they would be impacting (permit # 990016190

11/4/l999 Called BCSB meeting - "Mr Weaver...some costs have escalated due to inflation (I checked on National figures for inflation for 1998 - 1.6%, for 1999 - 1.5%) and other factors...outlined strategies to recoup these costs...He has been involved in this type of underestimation before (May have been the Atlanta project they supposedly were fired from) and those projects progressed...how did these numbers change so dramatically?...Most costs are due to the unforeseen (but not according to the documents in the files that I reviewed)...Mrs. Phillips expressed her gratitude to Mr. Weaver for his expertise (at underestimation and costs overruns I guess)...Mr Weaver responded...inflation has been averaging three percent annually since that time (not according to the Feds I found the figures to be 1.6 for 1998, and 1.5 for 1999)...Mr. Weaver asked Jim McCormick to brief the board on the basic design manual presented for action... Mr. McCormick (attempted to) explained for the board the manual presented for review and action... Mr. Reams stated he felt this type of explanation was not necessary since this is why the board has the program managers..Mr Sweat...also agreed...this is more information than he needs."

10/18/ l999 Letter from Department of Army BCSB must abide by all requirements for wetlands disturbance,

1/6/2000 BCBE Called meeting; "Packet of info presented to the board with reference to the dynamics and changes of the projects...look at more cost effective examples. The numbers are changing almost monthly. Due to previous concern and confusion, an accountant has been brought in who has gone through the system entirely. Barry Darnell's responsibility is to be sure the info is accurate and complete...Mr. Reams expressed his frustration that at every thirty-day report, the costs increase. Mr. Weaver explained that they are trying to go back to the original document and include items that should have been included but weren't, i.e., site development. Mr. Reams again stated his frustration that at each report the cost increases. Mr. Weaver explained that because several changes have been made, this affects costs....Mrs. Patterson wants the board to understand the actual scope at each of these sites, and before we let these bids, the board is absolutely clear on the extent of the overage and what the board is willing to sign up for...Mr. Eaver responded that when the original package was presented in 1996, the basic figures were not accurate. Inflation was not considered....Mr. Kernaghan asked why it has taken so long for the board to find out about these problems. Mr. Weaver responded he was told there was a budget problem from day one... Bottom line is that the origianl scope was inaccurate...Mr. Reams is concerned that Beers-Integral-Harmon did not inform the board sooner about these inflated costs and problems. Mr. Kernaghan is concerned that Beers-Integral- Harmon did not do their job correctly.

1/13/00 BCBE called meeting Purpose: Program Status--Executive Summary and Project Status "As of 12/29/99 estimated completion for the total program, it was estimated at $233,319,000. On 1/6/99 under their contract the budget established for the program is $198,878,718...over by approximately $34,440,000...This is a middle-of-the-road scenario including is the OCIP program, bulk procurement, the alternate delivery method, and kitchens...Now it is lower because kitchen equipment has been removed because it was never in any of the BIH budgets to begin with...it does not include any changes to the kitchen drawings...Mr. Reams asked why the figures changed so much at each report...Janice Rainey-Whitby...the public was informed there would be a shortfall; exact figure was not given....JRW explained that a small amount of capital outlay money is available to purchase specific pieces of equipment, i.e., fire alarm panels, electrical system, etc. that are not included in the original cost estimate...Mr. Reams asked (for) breakdown....(on) $12,000,000...so decisions can be made about what projects to keep or drop...Mr. Weaver... called the board's attention to the last page of the document indicating a sum of $13,900,000 omitting five schools that are getting new schools as replacement and doing student transfers...Mr. Reams wants to see the total amount of state money....Mrs. Rainey-W explained that the state bases the amount of money on the previous 5 years FTE (Full time equivalent- full time students), and our percentage of the pie reduces due to our decrease in FTE...Mr. Weaver indicated there is still a small amount of flexibility in the general fund budget, private gifts and grants, federal, state and local grants for funding, and the other opportunity is to sell all the GL authorized bonds. But there is still the balance repayment of $52 million after that money is exhausted...The interesting line item is to absorb five schools into the new ones

1/20/00 "Mr. Postell expressed his concern about low enrollment at the schools, particularly Alexander II Burke, Clisby, Danforth, Hunt, Tinsley, Winship, Southesat, and Renaissance Academy, because of the fact that the board is buying property and building schools, and he wonders where the students will be

2/3/00 BCBE Called meeting/Work session Barbara Coleman gave an overview of Cost Impact Report and Project Check List for each school project providing current program budget summary and current and estimated cost. Major discussion followed concerning who made the original cost computation error and who should be held accountable

3/2/00 BCBE Called meeting Work Session "Charlie Weaver...informed the board that savings might be realized by substituting different materials...Column D represents the cheapest forms of construction at the state minimum...A special meeting will be held on Monday March 13, 2000 at 8:30 am to review information on bulk procurement, HB 1079, and systems substitutions and make decisions...The career Center was discussed next. Mr. Weaver reviewed the info...two options: continue with the re-use of the existing structure, or demolish...and construct a new building. Engineers have determined that there is extensive damage to the joists and it is more cost effective to replace them all instead of replacing a portion...Indication are that the area was once a dump, filled with various materials...boring tests indicate there also could be problems with the slab and the soil under the slab and in the parking area...A savings of $150,000...if...demolish and construct a new building....Motion approved...motion to stop trying to retro-fit the existing structure and tear all the existing structure down, including the slab...Motion approved...David Richardson informed the board that none of the reports he has indicates the site was ever a dump...Ms Colman reported...roof leaks at the Lasseter building,...asked the board's permission to comprise a budget to replace the tile and the bathroom renovation....Mrs. Whitby indicated that it might be possible to use savings from the Clisby Project for this.

Time Line for Kmart

8/26/97 Document from Art Barry - "I felt you should be made aware of the availability of the Bibb Company offices opposite the Macon Centreplex which I have for sale...This fine facility is available for only $3,000,000 and, in my opinion, would transform to a teaching facility with ease"

8/4/98 to JRW from Steve Wilson - We have received from the seller's attorney proposed changes to the contract...seller wants to shorten the option term to Nov.1, l998, increase the sales price to $1,900,000 and increase the earnest upon exercies...$100,000...".

10/8/98 "Hand delivery" from Jones Cork and Miller to Buinger (past Superint.) Re K-Mary (sp. K-mart) property..."The seller's attorney has advised me that the seller has received an offer " not from local people" to purchase the K-Mart property which it is considering....outline of the other offer... Board offer $1,900,000 (Original offer: $1,750,000) New Offer (is for) $2,100,00...Art Barry told me he had heard the offer had come form the Medical Center, but I have confirmed this is not the case."

10/28/98 Letter from JRW of BCSB to Jerry Rochelle State Dept of Education, Re:

"I have reviewed the Office of Pipeline Safety precautions and procedures, which are available on the Internet, for preventing leaks and explosions for fuel lines. Most accidents are caused by outside forces and are preventable”. (I don't understand this sentence at all) The availability of county infrastructure, including natural gas, electricity and roads, all enhance the sites(') suitability for a career center. I, therefore, request that the site be approved

11/11/98 (4 page fax) From Tribble and Richardson to Janice RW of BCBE Re: Project K-Mart. This was an outline of the Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, Roofing, Paving, Hazardous materials problems with the site. "Probable cost estimate to prepare Kmart for New

Environmental -$5,000' Structural- $2,020,000; Mechanical Demolition - $100,000; Electrical Demolition $100,000; Roofing - $766,700; Paving $622,500; Hazardous Materials $125,000 Total $3739,200.00. (These) Estimated cost figures do not include replacement costs electrical, mechanical and suspended ceiling

11/98 Evaluation Report and Phase 1 Environmental Assessment Prepared by Tribble & Richardson, Inc. Executive Summary: Page 1 "Apparent environmental liabilities were revealed or discovered ....Possible sources of contamination of asbestos containing building materials, lead based paint, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are documented in this report...All structural components of the former K-Mark building need extensive work including sandblasting, repair and repaint. All roof-supporting components should be replaced with new structural steel. The concrete floor slab needs to be repaired. An extensive survey is needed for a more accurate evaluation. The mechanical equipment and plumbing (including fire protection and drinking water fountains should be replaced with new systems...The electrical system needs to be removed and replaced with a new system...Several types of pavement failures are located within the parking and drive areas. Fatigue...was prevalent in the distressed areas...The roofing materials need to be removed and replaced An extensive survey is needed for a more accurate evaluation. Page 13 5.7...Extensive damage was noted in the main building's floor tile, insulation, and electrical wiring. Water pools were found in different locations within the buildings...Structural Evaluation...opinion of cost $2,110,000...Mechanical Evaluation...These systems will need to be demolished and replaced...existing plumbing...these units need to be replaced...likely approximately $1,342,000.00...Electrical evaluation...existing conduit and wiring will need to be replaced...approximately $921,800.00...Roofing evaluation...over the recent years, this roof has fallen into severe disrepair and disintegration...there are too many holes in this roof system to warrant documenting. Many of these holes are quite large...the entire roofing system is so severely damaged and weakened that it is virtually unsafe to walk on...new roof will be approximately $5.50/square foot...Asbestos Containing Building Materials...costs...$450,000.00 to $625,000.00...based on limited investigations. Paving evaluation...estimate...$622,500.

11/16/98 Report on the asbestos testing - + Floor Tile, Mastic x 3, Flooring, NP-1, Np-2, KM-1 Floor tile, KM-2 Mastic, KM-3 floor tile, Km-4 Mastic, KM-5 Floor tile, KM-6 Mastic, Km-17 , PW-7

1/14/99 Letter to JRW from State "The Hazard analysis...raised several concerns regarding student health and safety... 1. The flame jet limits...extends beyond the existing building. 2. The proximity of the Northfolk Railroad a. The risk of derailment involving hazardous materials b. the risk to student trespassers. 3. The presence of high tension electrical lines

2/19/99 Closing Date

5/25/99 Letter from A. Adams Architects - complaining to Jim McCormck of Beers Integral Harmon about many problems 1. There are no similar projects in the State from which to gain insight relative to design or function (perhaps there is a reason no other schools use this concept) 2. We have participated extensively in the development of the program which is normally not a part of the customary service of the architect...As of this date, a reasonably complete and definitive program is still not in place, in fact, major revisions are being made in the portion of the program we thought was settled. 3. The design team is being asked to function without complete information and under an extraordinarily tight, if not unrealistic, schedule that requires the building envelope, 9th grade areas, administration, media center, kitchen and dining room areas totaling approximately 46,000 s.f., to be completed by the start of the school year in 2000...As of the date of this letter we are 25 days past the projected start date and there are major questions remaining about the program. 4. In addition to the schedule, the construction budget is apparently insufficient to complete the entire project...the design team will prepare an estimate of the probable cost of construction...when the contract has been executed and the program has been established with a reasonable assurance that it will not change in some major respect...6....we are being asked to design not a standard high school kitchen, but rather a unique food delivery system. 7. Since the career center will be constructed in an existing building which has sustained structural damage due to a long period of neglect of the leaking roof, the design team must inspect and analyze the existing structural system and determine what repairs need to be made and prepare a construction document separate from the main construction documents, to replace the roof...This will be a laborious process and exposes the design team to liabilities not present in new construction

7/19/99 Career Center Budget Analysis - reviews costs factors, suggested

Change heating system from Water Source Heat Pumps to cheaper ones (But not as long lasting per engineers and are roof mounted with maintance problems and roof penetrations causing leaks to be more likely

Eliminate 50% of Exterior windows

Delete Contingency

Delete Emergency Generator, light fixture adjustments, and reduce Computer drops, Delete 10 classrooms, Delete partial Admin.

7/21/99 to Janice RW Change order (a request to up the bid ) proposal from

*Floor tile: There are three layers (for removal) DEM's proposal, which only identifies two layers * Asbestos:...findings...identifies evidence of Chrysolite....The report was not provided to the perspective bidders prior to bid. The material must be property (properly) removed and disposed of (Who should have given that information to the bidders - it was in the report before closing the deal on the site). Recommendation: This is clearly an unforeseen condition and warrants compensation (these change orders abound in the files- low bidders get the job then utilize all these change orders to jack up the true price of the bid)...This change order Amount $30,000.00...Approval JRW signed 8/27/99, Ron Collier 8/26/99, Sharon Patterson 8/26/

10/4/99 BCBE Change Order...Demolition and removal of Hazardous Material...1) remove metal Fascia...2) Remove brick walls...Amount $179,234.00 (This was a known problem also why were bidders not told- I have been trying to get the policies and procedures on Bid procurement and so far no luck with my open records act request

8/3/99 To: JRW FR: Chris Bryson Re: Career Center Meeting ...Lee Cain went over some of the budget issues and had a list of suggested items to be cut...The first was whether to replace the water source heat pumps with DX split system. While I would prefer heat pumps, I was flexible on this. There was a great deal of concern expressed about the large number of roof penetrations that would be required for DX systems...I think the concerns regarding the roof penetrations (on a nearly flat roof) are much more valid...The second topic was the suggestion of totally removing all energy management form the building. I certainly wasn't going to talk my way out of a job, but I did give a few suggestions what I would consider a minimal system....I reminded him that the EMS also is doubling as our security system. By the time we put in a minimal EMS with security features, a significant portion of the budgeted amount would already be spent

9/8/99 Complete estimate of Probable Construction Cost Career Center $9,651,559...except ...Has (hazardous?) Abatement ...1. Kitchen equipment/Walk-on cooler/freezer....11. Extensive repair to existing structure.

3/3/00 Macon Telegraph article "Walls come a tumblin'down The shell of the former Kmart building...will be torn down...School Board decided Thursday night...The School Board has spent $561,000 on site development although project manager Charlie Weaver of BIH told the board that continuing on the most recent path could cost significantly more. Architect Stan Adams said it will cost another $65,000 to tear up the asphalt parking lot, as well...He said the main reason the part of the structure was salvaged was because it was the only option that made the time frame possible. "We're being hampered by the structural system down there", Adams said. Board member Don Sweat...saying..."I think we need to abandon this site". Board member Betty Phillips said she was frustrated with the process and the fact that this matter was coming up so long after the building was purchased...Why didn't we hear this from the beginning? (If they had read the files they would have know - just like I did

Clisby Time

7/21/1998 From JRW to E. Bray Architects - "Both Clisby and Alexander II are to be considered 'new' schools...No budget exists currently to restore or preserve either facility; therefore, to the extent possible any part of the facilities to remain must first meet the requirement for a modern or new elementary school. Additionally, the state will not fund anything other than a new school...Again, I must request that Brittain, Thompson Bray and Brown specifically identify what...I will be buying for $320,000.00

1/7/99 From JRW to Don Barillari...on change order for asbestos increased the cost by $4540.

5/26/99 Letter from JRW to Lars Anderson "Every five years each local school district is required to prepare and submit a facility plan to the State DOE for review and approval. In 1996 during the development of the plan, the State determined that Clisby restoration costs would equal or exceed the cost to build a new facility and would not be fiscally appropriate. Therefore, the plan approved a new Clisby Elementary School

6/2/99 From JRW to BCSB ....Bonds $6245,281.00 State $2,427,570 (The state is listed at funding this project even though it is not a new school

6/28/99 Letter to JRW from Architects: ...we are proceeding with the...New Clisby Elementary School.

Contributors: Sam and Kay Hollis <hollisco@aol.com>, Bill and Billie Jackson <BLJ@earthlink.net>

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