Efficiency studies approved

By Alan Chamberlain | December 2, 2010 12:53 pm

Charles City School Board members have approved two efficiency studies, both to take place at no cost to the county.

Voting during their Nov. 16 meeting, board members authorized a building efficiency study aimed at utility expenses and potential cost savings in that area. Schools’ administrative services director Melvin Robertson said savings of up to $87,000 could be realized on an annual basis while long-range, the amount could approach $1 million.

The second study, targeting transportation efficiency, examines such matters as the schools’ two-tier bus schedule along with potential fuel cost reductions. Robertson said no estimated savings are available for the second study.

Mention of an overall school system efficiency study was made during the meeting, but no action was taken. Minimum cost would be $20,000, Robertson said, thus board members opted for more information before considering the matter.

The board, meanwhile, voted to approve a four-year capital improvement plan that approaches $11 million. But in light of ongoing budget restraints, staying on schedule with the proposed spending plan appears unlikely. All projects depend on funding availability.

All five projects penciled in a year ago for the current school year have been pushed back into next year. No new projects have been added.

Topping the list for next year is replacing hallway carpeting with tile at a cost of $148,000. Also appearing is walkway repair ($113,000), paving lots behind the high school ($209,000), a $1.57 million project to build a new School Board office, and $443,000 for building a gym at the elementary school.

Projects pushed back and now proposed for 2012-13 include a $1.75 million classroom/laboratory expansion at the elementary school, $89,000 for an elementary school multipurpose room, $89,000 for redesigning offices at the middle and high schools, and $4.4 million for a middle school gym.

Long-range projects appearing in 2013-14 and 2014-15 include tennis courts ($81,000) plus six projects at the high school: football practice field ($330,000), athletics field house ($1.2 million), outdoor basketball court ($90,000), baseball/softball dugouts ($221,000), additional gym seating ($72,000), and modifying the gym foyer ($89,000).