The Hickory Daily Record reports that Hickory City Schools may request $2.3 million from the county budget for upgrades in the coming fiscal year.
That was the recommendation by Hickory City Schools Director of Operations and Maintenance Anthony Cox as the school board gathered this month for a work session.
Last year, the school system requested $2.2 million for security and infrastructure. The county board of commissioners allocated nearly $1.7 million to the school system.
Cox said Hickory City Schools would use $2.3 million to upgrade HVAC systems, reseal and renew parking lots, replace security systems and replace some vehicles in the maintenance fleet. Cox said many of the security systems need to be replaced due to age. He said maintenance vehicles need replacement due to age and use.
While students were on spring break, Cox said Hickory High School’s football stadium received upgrades to storm drains and the visitor stands. Viewmont Elementary and Northview Middle School received window coverings that will allow those inside the building to see out but not allow those outside to see into the building. Viewmont also received an update to its air ventilation system.
Hickory City Schools Director of Operations and Maintenance Anthony Cox discusses window coverings designed to increase security at Viewmont Elementary. Window screens are already up at other schools in the district and more are planned for those that don’t have them.
During the school board work session, Cox listed 68 projects that need attention. Seventeen projects were completed during spring break, eight are scheduled to be completed during the remainder of the spring semester, 30 during the summer and 13 are requested for next year.
Director of Technology Jeff Tice also discussed improvements coming due to the district’s participation in the E-rate program, which allows schools to purchase technological equipment and upgrades at a reduced price.
Tice said the district will be getting $906,000 in upgrades for only $26,000. The majority of the upgrades will focus on increasing internet capacity and speed at schools in the district. Tice said the internet at many schools is not sufficient for current technological demands.
“With these upgrades, it’s like if you had a four-lane interstate highway, you’ll now have a 10-lane interstate highway,” Tice said.
