Architect Doug Caywood told the Bradley County School Board on Tuesday that it appears the new Lake Forest Middle School Academic Building will be over 137,000 square feet under roof.
Board member Chris Turner computed that, at $120 per square feet, the cost would be in the range of $16.5 million.
Mr. Caywood said the program area was coming in at around 88,500 square feet. But he said the additional space was needed for walls, hallways, mechanical areas, etc.
He said it appeared that four of the nine buildings at the pod-style layout would be demolished. Retained would be the auditorium, gym, cafeteria and administration wing.
Mr. Caywood said, with two ball fields on one side and a road on the other, there is a narrow space to fit in the new building.
"The site is highly constrained," he said.
He told the board that walkways connecting the new building to the older ones will be protected, but not enclosed.
Vice Chairman Charlie Rose recommended that the board get $1 million it promised the County Commission to put toward the building from two sources. One is the $831,000 set aside for Blue Springs School and the other would be from capital outlay.
Nutrition Director Emily Brown told board members that the program is highly rated and she gets few complaints. However, board members brought up some concerns they had heard.
She said an issue on running out of certain items for the last group of students served was being addressed. She said it is difficult to predict which items will be the most popular on a given day.
Another concern was that much of the food was being thrown away. She said the federal government dictates food offerings, including a move toward healthier food. She said there was a requirement for whole-grain biscuits, but that proved unpopular and was waived.
Ms. Brown said she was also able to get "a pasta waiver" and was allowed to add crumbs on chicken salad.
Of the waivers, she said, "I'm not making this up."
Supt. Linda Cash said, "I'm not seeing as much waste as I expected."
Ms. Brown said the program is a separate unit that is self-funded.
She said students may get up to five items, but they have to take a fruit or vegetable.