Superintendent Says Construction Project Wrapping Up As School Start Nears

August 31st Start Is Still Planned

Construction crews work to complete final projects before the scheduled August 31st school start date.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County Superintendent of Schools Brian Alexander said today that everything is still on schedule to begin the school year on Wednesday, August 31st as construction projects that delayed the original start to school are now wrapping up.

Alexander said he was hoping to squash any rumors of other delays that have made their way back to the Board of Education office.

"We've had people ask all sorts of questions about running into other delays and going virtual and all kinds of things, but none of that is accurate," he said. "We are looking to be right on schedule."

An entire light LED light fixture that's about the same size as the cover-only to an old florescent fixture.

Renovations have been ongoing throughout the district in various forms, some of which are part of the Guaranteed Energy Savings Project that will allow LED lighting district-wide.

"These new lights are not only much brighter but also much more energy efficient," Alexander said.

Construction crews work to complete final projects at ECHS before the scheduled August 31st school start date.

Construction crews work to complete final projects at ECHS before the scheduled August 31st school start date.

He also said that as messy as things have gotten at times over the summer, and with the discovery of sediment in the existing HVAC pipes, crews are working extremely fast to have everything wrapped up over the next three weeks.

"It still looks a little bit out of sorts in places, but earlier in the summer it looked like Nakatomi Plaza," he said laughing, which was a reference to the 1988 Bruce Willis blockbuster movie "Die Hard."

He said during the project, all the sediment was removed and flushed from the HVAC system and that thanks to CMTA, the construction project manager, there was no additional cost to the school district after the problem was discovered. Local contractors R&R Heating and Air Conditioning have installed new HVAC that helps filter out flu, strep, and COVID, Alexander said.

"All our crews have gone above and beyond expectations."

Alexander said no further delays are expected.

"Things are on schedule for August 31st and we're excited to get back to a normal routine with our teachers and staff ready to get back to the business of doing what we do, and that's to provide a great learning environment for Edmonson County students."