SOUTH POINT - Laying the foundation for a successful partnership.

That was the intent of a meeting Monday when South Point school officials sat down to the discussion table with the slate of people from the various entities that will be involved in the construction of the four new schools for that district.

Tom Kirkwood, of Project Management Consultants, of Cincinnati, said the purpose of the meeting was for those involved, from school board members to the architect to the project manager, to understand what their role is in the process and what everyone else's role is as well.

"The purpose of a partnering meeting is to build teamwork and in the end have a better project; to identify common goals and objectives and to implement a plan," Kirkwood said.

"We hope when we leave here to be able to work together as a team," South Point Superintendent Ken Cook agreed.

The concept of partnership of school construction projects is an idea state officials implemented approximately five years ago to reduce conflicts during the building process and to ensure greater satisfaction. Kirkwood said the idea is working.

"I feel South Point has a great opportunity to have a successful project because everyone - the state, the architect, construction manager and our firm-

have learned a lot over the last five years about how to do these projects better than ever," Kirkwood said.

Some of the principle construction team members had met prior to the Monday meetings, others had not.

Earlier this month, state officials announced that Bovis Lend Lease, of

Columbus had been selected as the construction management firm while Steve Roka, of the Ohio School Facilities Commission, was selected as the project administrator.

South Point officials purchased land in September for the new middle and high schools. An 85-acre site off Sand Road, behind the Ohio State Highway Patrol post, will be the new home for the upper grades. Both of the district's elementary schools will also be replaced.

Jay Richards, of McDonald, Cassell and Bassett of Columbus is the architect for the project.

In March, South Point voters approved a 4.91-mil bond issue and 0.5-mil tax levy to build

the four new schools.