Elder: Pickett High Water Pipes Will Need Replacement

The Pickett County Schools new fiscal year budget includes a new bus for disabled students and a pipe replacement for the high school.

The School Board went through the budget during a Monday work session, voting to approve it during the regular meeting. The total budget includes some $1.42 million in local tax dollars, a slight increase from last year. The state allocation stands at $5.93 million, based on the new TISA formula. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the new state allocation strategy will not mean significantly more for the county this year.

Elder said the budget includes some $100,000 in building maintenance.

“I was hoping we weren’t going to use that, but then when we got the water leak and I was told the news, I was told this afternoon, we may end up using quite a bit of it, because we’re going to have to replace some pipes at the high school,” Elder said. “And that’s going to cost us quite a bit, I’m sure.”

The water pipes froze during the Christmas Artic Snap of last year.

Elder said she hopes to use some remaining ESSER money to purchase a new bus for handicapped students. She said it is the first time in several years the system has had to replace the bus with an estimated cost of $100,000.

“I have talked to different people, I’ve talked to other counties about what they have experienced,” Elder said. “I’ve been told, don’t get a used one, don’t try to go with anything but a big yellow bus. Buy a small one. You don’t have to have a 72 passenger or 78 passenger.”

During the School Board Meeting Monday, the board approved money to replace two dishwashers, a stove and a dumpster for the cafeteria staff. The total project set at some $200,000. The board also approved a new intercom system for Picket K-8 School, through Twin Lakes.

“We desperately need a new intercom system at the K-8,” Elder said. “That’s the number one thing we’ll use in the event of some type of lockdown or whatever.”

The quote came in at $25,526.