Zechman says county should fund major school projects
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“Nunley Stadium and the middle school auditorium are county assets which have deteriorated tremendously. With today’s favorable interest rates, now would be the best time to do it, especially if we can do it with the without a tax increase,” Zechman said.
For the past several months, the school board has been discussing the need for major renovation work at Nunley Stadium and the middle school auditorium, both of which were opened in the late 1950s and have received little maintenance since then.
While agreeing the need is a pressing one, the problem faced by board members today is the same as the one faced by board members of years past – lack of money. School officials estimate a combined $650,000 is needed to complete both projects.
The board’s solution was to spread out the work, and funding, out over a number of years, beginning with the areas that pose the biggest safety risks. This plan began in April, when the board voted to move $200,000 out of its fund balance to reinforce Nunley Stadium’s existing concrete bleachers and add metal bleachers this summer.
According to officials, other improvements needed at the stadium include the replacement of the press box and the building of new concession stands and visitor’s side restrooms.
An almost total renovation is needed to the middle school auditorium. Though seat replacement is the biggest priority, a project of that size would require other costly building modifications, most notably bringing the auditorium up to code and making sure it is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Zechman told fellow Education Committee members it might be possible for the county to fund both projects outright through 12-year capital outlay notes which would not require a change to the present tax levy.
“This is something we know we need to do and I’d like the county commission to look at it. We should have done it years ago, but we didn’t,” Zechman said.