Lincoln and Wayne County School Systems recently presented large requests to the School Building Authority.
The county superintendents met with the SBA on Monday and Tuesday.
Lincoln County Schools requested a little more than $26 million to construct a new building for Duval Midway K-12 school.
County Superintendent Jeffery Kelley says the building has structural issues that date back to when the building was constructed. The structural issues cause the building to shake.
Because of these problems, officials have had to close the school’s cafeteria and an academic wing.
During the meeting, Kelley said if the county got a new building tomorrow, it would save about five teachers and additional custodial staff.
Elsewhere, Wayne County Schools requested just less than $24 million for renovations and additions to Buffalo Middle School. The county has plans to combine the elementary and middle school students in that facility.
Superintendent Todd Alexander said the existing Buffalo Elementary School would be sold or demolished, and students would move into the Buffalo Middle School building to create a Pre-K through 8 facility.
Superintendent Alexander said the elementary school building is listen in “poor” condition. He said there are several water issues, and the sewage backs up into the building. The school also needs new windows and a new roof, and the HVAC needs to be replaced.
The middle school building is listed in “fair” condition, according to Wayne County officials. The project would create a safe school entrance, close off an exterior corridor and expand cafeteria space. The project would also add 66,000 sq. ft. to the facility to house Pre-K through 8 students.
The School Building Authority will make a decision regarding these requests on April 19.
