Overton Schools Lighting Ownership Being Explored

The Overton County School System is working with UCEMC for consistent ownership of exterior school lighting.

Ownership of Livingston Academy’s parking lot lighting is split between the school and UCEMC. Chairman Jarman Hicks said this has created some inconsistencies when it comes to maintenance.

“Anytime the school system has issues with the lighting Upper Cumberland Electric maintains, they do a good job of coming out and taking care of that,” Hicks said. “Our school lighting is a little bit different. We don’t necessarily have the equipment to work on that lighting.”

Hicks said two possibilities are being explored: first, upgrading to UCEMC-owned lights or the schools maintaining and constructing their own lights.

“As far as getting a consistent across the board, no matter which direction the board goes it would costs thousands of dollars,” Hicks said. “Whether it is upgrading to Upper Cumberland Electric lights or if it would be to the school maintaining and constructing their own.”

Hicks said this would be an extensive district wide project that would have to be budgeted for in the future. Interim Director of Schools Donnie Holman is set to reach out to UCEMC to move into the engineering phase.

The school system has came across lighting problems at A.H. Roberts, Livingston Academy and Rickman Elementary. Hicks said after the schools transitioned to LED bulbs, a speculated lightening strike caused the need for repairs.

Parts are under warranty, but the labor is not. During March’s Board of Education meeting, Holman said he found a contractor to conduct the work for free.