Ga. Schools Tap New Source for Construction

By Linda Jacobson

Tucker, Ga.

School officials in Georgia pay close attention to the weather forecasts these days.

"It's good to see sunshine. That means they can get some work done," muses Stanley J. Pritchett, an administrator for the DeKalb County schools, as he leaves his office for the short drive to one of several construction sites in this 90,000-student district near Atlanta. "If you can just get a roof on, you can do anything."

A former high school principal in DeKalb County, Mr. Pritchett is the district's executive director of business and plant services and the point person for the largest school construction initiative in his district's history. Over a five-year period ending in 2002, the district will spend nearly $400 million on 11 new schools and several additions and renovations...