Dalton Board of Education members approved plans for a new sixth- and seventh grade school on Tuesday. The plans include room on the site for a second school if needed.

DALTON, Ga. — Dalton’s planned sixth- and seventh-grade school now has a name.

Board of Education members voted unanimously Tuesday to name the school Hammond Creek Middle School after the nearby creek and neighborhood.

“It represents a part of our Dalton community, and it continues a tradition. We have City Park, Brookwood,” said board member Palmer Griffin, referring to schools named after locations. The original City Park school was next to Dalton Green.

Board members also approved floor plans for the two-story, 220,000-square-foot school that will include a gymnasium, an auxiliary gymnasium, a 6,000-square-foot auditorium that will seat 486 and an art classroom with a kiln, among other features. The site includes a practice field; areas for future baseball, softball and football/soccer fields; a cross country track; and an area for a possible new school.

Superintendent Tim Scott said board members have already issued a request for proposals from general contractors, and staff members should have a recommendation for the board at their May meeting.

Voters in November approved the issuing of bonds to build the school on property across the U.S. 41 North bypass from Dalton Middle School to help ease overcrowding at both the middle school and at Dalton High School. Some $46.89 million worth of bonds were issued.

Board members said they are satisfied with the progress they are making on the school. 

“According to our architect, we are on schedule,” said board member Matt Evans. “There are some things that are out of our control, that have to be approved by the state board of education. But we are on schedule to get them what they need to give that approval.”

The architect’s plans show space for a potential second school on the site.

“We have always said, when we asked voters for the bonds, that having that property would allow room for future growth, whether an elementary school or high school,” said board Chairman Rick Fromm. “We could expend that building (that was approved Tuesday). But if the need arises, we have space there to put another school without having to go looking for more land.”

Board members also held a public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2019, which starts July 1. The budget calls for spending of $79 million, up from $74.8 million in the current fiscal year. It projects $77.4 million in revenue, up from $74.5 million this year. Chief Financial Officer Theresa Perry said the school system would dip into its fund balance to cover the red ink. She said the system should end the next fiscal year with a fund balance of $12.8 million.

No members of the public spoke at the hearing.

Board members are scheduled to hold a second public hearing on the budget and give it tentative approval at their May meeting and to have a final vote on the budget at their June meeting.