CCISD funds major repair projects to ready facilities

By WENDY SLEDD Special to Leader-Press The sun beats down as the Texas heat hovers  round the 100 degree  mark. But, time is runningout and the heat cannot be an excuse to not have CCISD schools ready for students and staff in less than 30 days. A multitude of projects are being completed this summer in preparation for nearly 8,000 students and more than 1,500 staff to fill Cove’s school hallways and classrooms. The largest of the projects is replacing S.C. Lee’s heatand air conditioning system. More than 80 units  were installed in the 20- year old building at a total cost of $1.994 million of the $2 million in budgeted funds for the project, said CCISD Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Support Services Rick Kirkpatrick. “We are always working to be pro-active. All projects we are doing this summer are budgeted funds and are not tapping into fund balance,” he said. The bus loop at Mae Stevens Early Learning cademy has been completed at a cost of $138,000. The loop will ensure the safety of the young students by separating children being picked up by their parents from those riding the school bus. The bus loop at the high school cafeteria entranceis also being repaired at a cost of $590,000 to fill in a large sink hole and strengthen the pavement so it does not occur  gain. The parking lots at two of CCISD’s schools that are more than 50 years old, Fairview/Miss Jewell and Hettie Halstead Elementary Schools, are being replaced which includesnew curbs and being handicapped accessible. The lack of parking at Martin Walker should be alleviated this year thanks to parking lot additions currently being built. “We sit down and plan starting in the spring for the projects that will occur the following year,” Kirkpatrick said. “We have our wish list and then have to narrow it down based on the district’s needs and what we can fit into the budget.” The popular Lea Ledger Auditorium which is used daily during the school year and then repeatedly even during school breaks by local businesses and the city government is also gettinga facelift this year with new paint, new carpeting throughout the facility and all of the wood re-sealed. Inside every school, maintenance workers are painting walls, stripping  loors, testing the gas lines and providing general maintenance to the heating and air conditioning systems to ensure CCISD facilities are ready to welcome students back to class on August 25.  “We have to prioritize because we cannot  do everything at once,” Kirkpatrick said. “We chose those projects that impact students and staff the most.”friends, but I’m also here as a professional role. They know if I make suggestions it’s not personal.”  esides learning the steps all together, the band broke into sections as each captain took their group and focused on their footwork and posture, as well as how to hold their instruments. By the time of the annual Spirit Spectacular in early September, the band should have the first movement of Gearworks well in hand. The band will be preparing at least 20 pieces to motivate the fans d ring football games this fall, as well as their concert pieces for the upcoming year.