The Sampson County Schools System will receive $609,938 in capital outlay budget requests that was sent to commissioners earlier this year, if the 2010-11 county fiscal plan is adopted Wednesday as expected.

Dale McLamb, finance officer for the system, told board members school staff had asked for approximately $1.7 million for capital projects, but that amount as trimmed to $609,938 last week.

“This is about $50,000 less than what we had last year,” said McLamb of the $609,938. “It will help us get work done on these capital outlay projects.”

Those projects include heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacements for six schools in the system, as well as district wide improvements that will cost $191,438. Those requests include security system upgrades ($26,800); fire systems upgrades/inspections ($26,000); furniture/blind replacements ($24,500); asbestos removal ($22,000); and district wide HVAC replacements ($46,000).

In addition, the board was asked to approve the Capital Carry Over Projects budget for 2010-11 that totals $285,039.96. The projects were slated to be taken care of this school year, but needed to be carried over to until the next year instead.

Those items on the list included cameras/GPS systems for buses; HVAC replacements for Hargrove, Hobbton Elementary and high schools and Midway Elementary and high schools; security lighting, outside speakers, and fire alarm upgrades at Union Elementary School; Lakewood High School athletic field rework; athletic field improvements at Hobbton High School, as well as replacement/repair of the school’s stage lighting and fencing; asbestos removal from Midway Elementary and the (old) Midway High School; district-wide fire systems, security system, and science labs, among others.

Anthony Vann, executive director of auxiliary services for the system, clarified the asbestos issues in the schools system.

“It is mainly inside the old floor tile,” he said Monday. “We inspect it a couple times a year, and if it starts wearing, we work to replace it as soon as we can. We have been fortunate because it hasn’t been as bad in the older schools. The new and newer schools, like Plain View and Clement, are considered asbestos-free.”

The board, with the exception of member Faye Gay, who was not in attendance, approved the budget amendments.

The board also approved five Child Nutrition Program contract awards presented by April Jordan, the department’s manager.

“With the additional items that we added to the menu in January, it increased food costs, but the good news to that increased food cost, is that we significantly increased our revenues,” said Jordan. “Our revenues exceed our budget by $409,000.”

The board approved a grocery and supply bid; a frozen beverage bid; a bread bid; fire system maintenance and the approval of extension of existing beverage bid for 2010/11.

Other approvals

Current Midway High assistant principal Sheila Peterson was officially approved by the board to take the helm of Roseboro-Salemburg Middle School; Peterson will officially begin as principal at the school on July 1.

Two assistant principal positions have yet to be filled.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.