By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Unit 5’s school repair bill is growing.
The district is seeking interest-free bonds from the federal government to pay for $17.5 million in work that needs done. Superintendent Mark Daniel told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin several school roofs needs repairs, and there are heating and cooling problems at Parkside Junior High and Northpoint Elementary.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Daniel on WJBC.
“Northpoint has an HVAC system in the ceiling and one of the vents remained opened, froze the pipes and the pipes burst,” Daniel said. “We have about 1.5 inches of steaming hot water flowing into our classroom.”
Daniel said a teacher discovered the problem on a Sunday and repairs were made in time for classes the next day.
The district is also seeking money for energy efficiency upgrades.
Daniel said if the district doesn’t get the money, the repairs will take a lot longer to be completed because he said the district doesn’t plan to seek a property tax increase.
“Our goal is not to raise our local property taxes but we have to maintain these buildings,” Daniel said.
Daniel said the district should find out next month whether it will be eligible for the Life, Health and Safety bonds that will be awarded competitively to schools over three years.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
