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| Updated: 6/06/2012 10:27 pm |
Published: 6/06/2012 6:54 pm |
The Pulaski County Special School District is moving full speed ahead with an aggressive $7.3 million renovation plan to upgrade facilities.
15 buildings are on the makeover list. Crews are already hard at work replacing the roof at Harris Elementary School.
The Executive Director of Operations for the district, Derek Scott, says all 15 schools are undergoing major work. "We have the ceiling tiles out, we have the insulation out, and we're doing a complete roof replacement at Harris Elementary, one of the oldest schools in the district."
As the district battles money problems and lawsuits, its aging facilities are failing. The roof at Fuller Middle School is cracked, leaking, and falling apart.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Brenda Bowels says the current conditions are not appealing to work or learn in. "Who wants to come into a dirty, drab looking building?"
Others schools are getting new bathrooms, new floors and fresh paint. All 15 school renovation projects will be done before the first day of school.
Dr. Bowels says the district made sure the work done as part of this project is equalized throughout the district, a complaint parents have had in the past.
Scott says it's amazing what the crews are able to accomplish in just 10 weeks.
Parents say they've been complaining for years about the dilapidated buildings, and are now pleased to finally see some improvements.
Rodney Dardenne has children in the Robinson schools and says he's encouraged the district seems to be moving forward.
The district is using money from a building fund to finance the renovations. Part of the money also came from bond refinancing and operational savings.
