Russell board juggles building priorities

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February 2, 2010

By MIKE JAMES - The Independent The Daily Independent Tue Feb 02, 2010, 11:07 PM EST

RUSSELL — New roofs, heating and air conditioning for the middle and high schools were the most-cited priorities in a school board discussion of needed building improvements in the Russell Independent School District.

The district expects to have at least $4 million and as much as $6.3 million in bonding capacity — the amount it is able to borrow — this year, said finance officer Dennis Chambers. The final amount will depend on the General Assembly.

Other big-ticket items on the wish list for both schools include cafeteria and restroom upgrades, lockers, lighting, sprinklers and, at the middle school, replacement of the front glass curtain wall with a more modern and energy-efficient facade.

The board discussed improvements, but did not make any decisions, in a special meeting Tuesday.

Doing all the above would cost roughly $5.7 million, according to board chairman Rick Roberts.

It is possible that the district may be able to stretch its bonding capacity under a state law that permits additional borrowing for energy conservation measures, board attorney James Lyon Jr. said.

Russell Middle School Principal Sean Horne characterized the curtain wall replacement as an energy conservation issue because the glass construction results in heavy heat loss during cold months and intense heat buildup in the warm months.

Other potential projects include replacing clock and intercom systems in both schools and upgrading wiring for computers and other technology equipment.

It is unlikely the district will be able to commit to all the projects.

Getting all of them done would cost upward of $7.5 million, plus architects fees and other costs that would add about 10 percent more, Chambers said.

However, Roberts said, replacement of leaking roofs and aging air conditioning and heating systems are of highest priority. “Those two, I don’t think there’s any way around that.”

The board will discuss the projects further at its next regular meeting. Whatever it decides, the plan is to move swiftly and get the work started as soon as possible, Superintendent Susan Compton said.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.

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