Stephens Co. Schools Discuss Maintenance Issues

At Thursday’s work session for the Stephens County Board of Education, much of the discussion concerned repairs and maintenance.

One of the main issues brought forth by Stephens County School Superintendent Bryan Dorsey was the leaking roofs of some of the older buildings at the Stephens County High School campus.

Dorsey said that with board approval, he would like to start the process of roofing the buildings.

According to Dorsey, the board could be facing a $1.4 million project.

He explained that one option to pay for the project would be to use the Building Authority and pay the interest through a long debt service so that it would not affect the General Fund.

Other school board members expressed concern.

Board members Jim Bellamy and Jeff Webb commented that something needed to be done as soon as possible.

Another discussion concerned the heat pump at the high school, which is currently working incorrectly.

Dorsey told the board that the result has been strip heat being used, which is costly.

He said the heating and power cost has been as high as $30,000 and that they are looking or a control solution to an expensive problem.

Dorsey also mentioned that the HVAC units at Big A Elementary and Toccoa Elementary were over 22 years old and that there were other repairs needed in the schools.

More discussion on these issues is expected on Tuesday.