The Henry County Board of Education voted September 9 to approve a $4.898 million contract for construction of a multi-purpose addition at Eagle’s Landing High School.

  According to officials, the project is the same that other existing high schools are receiving as part of the current school district SPLOST. One exception is that a strings room addition will be part of this project because it was completed as part of a renovation/modification/addition project under the previous SPLOST.

  International City Builders of Macon was the low bidder, with ten bids received out of 13 solicited by the central office. District officials researched the company to ensure that it would be “a capable and quality company to do business with.”

  Also approved by the school board was a $185, 513.88 expenditure for replacement of the outdated telephone system currently being used in the district leadership office. The move is necessary “to meet the district’s current communication demands,” according to officials, and it will require the procurement of telephones, equipment, licensing and services. The new VOIP system “will significantly upgrade the current system” and make it more efficient, the board was told by staff. Board members agreed with the move, with one calling the current system “too antiquated.”

  The board voted to approve a resolution that is required to request assistance from the Georgia Department of Education in preparing a five-year local facilities plan. The district’s existing plan is set to expire June 30 of next year, which means officials are required by state law to develop a new plan during this fiscal year. The five-year local facilities plan helps with funds being granted by the state to the district for future projects, according to a staff report. When asked if this was the plan utilized for the former Henry County Middle School, officials acknowledged that it did involve this school and the money that was received to support the construction of the new McDonough Middle School.