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LIBERTY, Miss. (AP) — It will cost $5.2 million for the Amite County School District to make repairs at its three schools to meet minimum state standards.
The Enterprise-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/180gtN4 ) that Gary Bailey with Bailey Architecture Education gave those figures to the school board this past week.
Bailey said the bulk of the repairs would be required at the high school and cost $3.5 million.
"I stress this is what I consider priorities. You will have to determine for yourself what you think your priorities are," Bailey told board members.
Bailey said there is $1.5 million work needed at the elementary school and $211,200 at the vocational school.
Repairs needed include electrical, lighting and ceiling upgrades, floor replacements, toilet renovations and security upgrades for the elementary school. Electrical upgrades, mechanical work, roof replacements, toilet renovations and security upgrades are needed at the high school. Bailey said lighting upgrades and roof replacements are needed for the vo-tech building.
"You are very normal. Most school districts I deal with are in similar shape. Their buildings are old and have broken down over time and they have been neglected," Bailey said.
For all school district needs, the price tag was just under $7 million.
"You don't have to sign off on everything. I would start with those items that are in most immediate need then consider other options as funding becomes more available," Bailey said.
School board president Albert White Sr. asked how much it would cost to build new schools.
Bailey said a new elementary school would cost $13 million to $14 million. He said a new high school would cost about $20 million.
"You don't have the bond capacity to do that. I've checked. Your tax base is low. You don't have the funding capacity," Bailey said.
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Information from: Enterprise-Journal, http://www.enterprise-journal.com
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