Specifically, the proposed economic stimulus package is expected to include money for school construction and to expand broadband access for schools.
“Our feeling is that there is going to be some renovation money available,” said superintendent Dr. Gene Hales. “We don’t know to what extent right now, everything is speculation now. But according to the proposed stimulus package there is some funding that is going to be coming to the states. The emphasis is to not only to help our facilities state-wide better for children, but to also help out with jobs state-wide.”
Hales said that he was pleased that the committee has been proactive in preparing for the stimulus package in case the system sees some renovation money.
“We understand that there is going to be a short turnaround for this, so we want to get ready and have everything in place in case some funding does come our way,” said Hales. “We want to be able to utilize it with the maximum benefit for our children.”
“I told Dr. Hales that it would be a good idea to make these preparations and identify all of our needs,” said committee chairman E.R. Mason. “I think it would be a good idea to get all of our preliminary work done in case this money does come down the line.”
Committee member discussed the needs of schools in the system and noted that at every campus, there are different facility needs. But on first look, the consensus of the group (that included Mason, Clyde Locklear, Hales, Dennis Carr, of Clinton City Schools auxiliary services, and Board of Education member Diane Viser. Victor Fryar was not present at the meeting) was that Sunset Avenue School and Sampson Middle School should be at the top of the priority list.
“We are on the back-end of our 5-year cycle of our facility plan,” said Clyde Locklear, assistant superintendent for finances and facilities for Clinton City Schools. “We have completed some of those items in that plan. For example, we planned to build a school and we built it. Our Qzab money has allowed us to do some renovations and some technology wiring and even some roofing. But there are still a number of things that we have needs of in our facilities. In fact, some of our more recently renovated facilities are getting to the 20-year-old range now. So, we have some heating and air equipment that’s getting to the end of its life cycle, which are major expenditure items. They are working fine right now, but they are not going to last forever. If this (funding) does come about and we are able to do some things, we will look at our overall priorities, because, probably, the money won’t be sufficient to do everything we want to do. We have to set some priorities and we want the committee to let us know how what direction to take. But, as Dr. Hales has said, a lot of this is up-in-the-air right now. We don’t know if it is $10 or $10 million.”
In reference to Sampson Middle School and Sunset Avenue, Locklear said, “Sampson Middle School hasn’t been renovated in 30-plus years; Sunset Avenue School also is a top priority. Even Butler Avenue has a facility that dates back to the 1960s ... there are multiple things to consider.”
When Mason asked about specific renovation needs, including a gyms at both SMS and Sunset, Locklear said, “Some of these things will take architectural services,” said Locklear. “Some things are going to take designs to complete. The question is, how aggressive do we want to be on being prepared for this? Meaning, do we want to be aggressive enough to hire someone or have someone working with us to identify some of our problems ...”
“We want to be ready,” said Mason. “Just in case. I think we need to do what we need to be ready.”
Hales suggested that the committee give the go ahead to Locklear and Carr to invite some architects in to make presentations to the committee and the full board of education to get an idea on what direction to take.
“Then maybe select one to come on board to get started,” he added.
“One thing is that we are going to need a new facilities plan,” said Carr. “Ours is coming to an end. I don’t think that new plan is going to be as simple as the last one was. If this money coming down is like the bond referendum back in the 1990s, that goes through DPI and you have got to have architectural, long-range planning in order to fill out those forms.”
Carr said that the board needed to exercise its right of selection to get the “best bang for our buck”.
“It is also fair to the taxpayer,” he said. “It is called a RFP — a Request For Proposal for presentation. You can invite who you want to and see who responds. It is a formal presentation that costs nothing and a price is not given. If you like what you see from the architect, you can then go from there.”
“If you can come up with some recommendations for the full board to hear and then let us discuss that, I think that would work,” said Mason. “I think that it would be good if the full board would make the decision.”
“The board would have to act on the hiring,” said Locklear.
“If the committee gives Clyde and Dennis permission to get go ahead and do the RFP and see who responds, then we can go from there,” said Hales. “It is such a short turnaround time, this would have to get started.”
“It is going to take at least several weeks to get going,” said Carr. “And the system is not obligated to do anything ... the architects are just coming in to make presentations. You are not obligated until a contract is signed and that has to be voted on by the board.”
The committee approved the go-ahead on allowing architects to come in a present presentations.
“They could give us some guidance on developing a plan,” said Locklear.
Carr and Locklear are expected to send out invitations to architects within the next few days.
To reach Doug Clark call (910) 592-8137 ext. 139 or send email to sisports@intrstar.net.
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