Gary school buildings need millions of dollars in repairs
By Carmen McCollum, The Times, Munster, Ind. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The schools that will be open in
Prewitt said five people cut grass, including a couple of temporary people, one plumber, three electricians, one sheet metal worker, one painter, two glazers, four carpenters and two pipefitters. As a result of vandalism at school buildings, Prewitt said glass windows have been replaced with 40-inch plexiglass. He said it prevents windows from being broken into but offers little in energy efficiency.
"We are behind on maintenance," Prewitt said.
"We don't have the resources to get everything done that needs to be done. We've had problems with vandalism. It's an urban environment with many low-income residents. It's a difficult situation. Crime seems to be highest in this area, which has the least amount of economic ability. It's too late to sugarcoat it. We can't keep patching these buildings. It's like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. My goal is to have a three-year plan, a five-year plan and a 10-year plan for the district.
"We've had to make some hard decisions, and we have had to make them quickly. We're asking all of our employees to put forth an extra effort to assist us with the impending reorganization. We hope to begin moving in mid-July," he said.
Hope for more money seen in next legislative session
Sen.
"We will meet next week," she said Friday. "We need to see exactly what they have done to improve the financial situation of the school district. I also had a conversation with
Rogers said next year is a budget year and there may be an opportunity to put together a proposal that can return some dollars to the
Prewitt has a wish list of things that need to be done at each school building, then he has a more practical list of things he hopes to accomplish by the time school opens for teachers
Prewitt said many of the school buildings also need new security doors. Superintendent Pruitt said the district hopes to obtain a federal grant allowing them to upgrade the doors, locks, wall security cameras and camera room.
"Our focus is safer, cleaner, better," Pruitt said. "We are collectively working to resolve the issues. We're working with the city of
The five
The district also voted to close the school service center and will house administrators in a school building.
Finally, Prewitt said the district knows it is responsible for boiler system repairs at
Last week, Roosevelt closed when
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