By JILLIAN STAMBAUGH

Eagle Staff Writer

The Macomb Board of Education Facilities and Transportation Committee met Wednesday to discuss the proposed Fire and Life Safety Amendments. Superintendent Dr. Alene Reuschel shared that projects the committee would be hearing will keep the district above necessary maintenance levels for years to come.

“What we are looking at today are long-term updates that keep us up to speed for years to come,” she said.

Each school building under the district’s supervision was considered for the amendment:

• Reuschel said that MacArthur has a “flaring problem” with the floor of the room used as the children’s play area and cafeteria. It was suggested the district remove the old floor structure and replace it with a vinyl covering, making the area into a more multi-purpose location.

• The older section of Lincoln school is due to have its roofing removed and replaced, as well as areas of carpeting because of general wear and tear.

• Edison school will need to have the second half of a door lock project installed.

• The Washington Street Gym needs to have an updated heating system with temperature controls accessible to the portion of the building where the Macomb School District does business.

• The Jr./Sr. High School building had the most costly amendments, Reuschel said, including removing the gym floor due to asbestos and replacing the building’s 52 windows with energy efficient ones for the price of $49,500. The footboards on the old stadium stands at the football field will also need replacement.

• Also suggested for the building was replacing the original HVAC system, which had been installed in the mid ‘80s. The district would hope to obtain a new system that utilizes green technology. Reuschel noted the $5 million project could come under scrutiny, because the current system has not yet reached its life expectancy. 

Co-chair Jude Kiah said that by the time of the proposed projects’ completion, the current HVAC could potentially be 30 years old or more. Reuschel responded that the project very well could be passed because the state is encouraging the use of green technology throughout the school system.

The proposed Fire and Life Safety Amendments total $6.6 million, which Reuschel said was “well within the district’s limits,” especially through utilization of financing and possible relief funds.

The committee recommended proceeding with the current outline and taking it to the board of education at the September meeting.

Reuschel also shared tentative enrollment numbers for the school year: Lincoln, 591 students; Edison, 361 students; Junior High, 283 students; High School, 567 students, and MacArthur still screening.