Benton County, Tennessee

Benton County Schools commissioned HGA to analyze the conditions and needs of school sites within their county. The assessment evaluated the schools and compared them to the Tennessee State Board of Education rules and regulations as well as current building codes, life safety codes and accessibility requirements. Some of the following are examples of the conditions evaluated:
            size of facility compared with enrollment
            construction type and combustibility
            square footage limitations per construction type
            overall condition of the building
            major code violations
            toilet facilities capacity requirements
Each building was then labeled demolition, renovation or new construction based on the evaluations. These recommendations were then compiled into a document for the county's consideration. In addition to the data, cost estimates were prepared for the renovation work as well as estimates for new construction in lieu of major renovation. This document helped them to decide how to best allocate funds to meet the state's requirements.
As a result of this study, the high school was renovated, and a technical center was built adjacent to the high school to provide a science lab facilities for county-wide use. Also, extensive renovation was completed at Big Sandy School.