Published: November 30, 2009 11:31 pm      

Crab Orchard, LSIC still seeking new school

It was a busy November for Raleigh County school board members.

In addition to their regular bi-weekly meetings, members also attended the school district’s five annual Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) meetings.

Year after year, the LSIC meetings give board members a chance to hear about schools’ accomplishments in addition to their individual needs.

LSICs are comprised of each school’s principal, three elected teachers, two elected service personnel, three elected parents, two at-large community members and the student body president of schools with grades seven or higher.

While this year’s LSIC meetings generated some new requests for school improvement projects, several requests made last year were made again because the original requests were not fulfilled.

Six schools — for the second consecutive year — requested new gymnasiums — Trap Hill Middle and Beckley, Bradley, Coal City, Sophia-Soak Creek and Shady Spring elementaries.

Liberty High School again requested a new gym floor.

But Crab Orchard Elementary repeated the biggest wish of all — a brand new school.

That was made at last year’s LSIC meeting.

“We were very disappointed when Crab Orchard was not considered for a new building in the recent board decision,” the Crab Orchard LSIC said in its report to the board.

The Raleigh County BOE recently elected to submit a request to the School Building Authority for a new Marsh Fork Elementary School.

In its detailed LSIC report, Crab Orchard says maintenance problems at the school stem from the old age of the building.

Raleigh BOE president Rick Snuffer said, “It’s eye-opening for us to get out into the county and to get to see all of the accomplishments, as well as the needs of all of our schools.”

Patricia Waddell, who has spent more than 12 years serving on Raleigh County’s school board, says it’s interesting to see how far the schools have come over the years.

“What I’ve noticed is they’re getting down to the minute details on the things they want now. It’s not the big broad things anymore,” Waddell said.

“We’ve seen a lot of improvement ... We went from dodging buckets for rain coming through the roofs to now — we’re down to other items. Not unimportant, but it’s just not like it was before,” Snuffer added.

Snuffer said he would like to thank the taxpayers of Raleigh County for their support in recent bond and levy elections, as it wouldn’t be possible to make the necessary improvements without them.

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The following is a list of LSIC requests that were submitted.

Academy of Careers and Technology: Secure access in rear of building (shop area) and paving in parking areas (both were requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Concrete in the front of the school; painting (shop area); leaking windows in need of repair; new security system; fire alarm system needs to be updated.

Independence High: Storage facility for books, physical education, special education and sports equipment (all requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Tennis courts; PRO officer; classroom phones; safety showers in science labs; enlarged kitchen and cafeteria; new media facility; ceiling-mounted projectors; theater remodeled.

Liberty High: Four new classrooms, gymnasium floor, new lockers, electrical upgrades, kitchen upgrades, windows, and painting in the gymnasium, cafeteria and auditorium (all requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Carpet needs to be replaced with tile; partition for library; new library books to enhance curriculum; walkway to new softball concession from bleachers; fix cracked sidewalks, projector for auditorium; new baseboard in gym; painting in 14 classrooms and locker bays; electrical outlets not adequate to meet use of technology in classrooms or computer labs; new classrooms attached to main building; campus security guard.

Shady Spring High: New office complex in front of building and full-time PRO officer on campus (both requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Two mobile computer labs; large group instruction room for music performances (Shady’s the only school without one); auxiliary gym.

Woodrow Wilson High: New bleachers for gymnasium.

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Beckley-Stratton Middle: HVAC upgrades, one window (that opens) in each classroom and elimination of odors (all requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: All windows in front of building need to be tinted for security reasons; several windows need replaced; tile in LGI room.

Park Middle: Enclosed breezeway between school building and music classrooms to fully secure campus and new lockers and student desks (all requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Security system; staff restrooms updated; classrooms painted.

Shady Spring Middle: Security doors need repaired (damaged by lightening).

Trap Hill Middle: Larger gymnasium (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Blinds for classrooms; bleachers for field above school; desks; classroom painting; school sign not working; running track around gym; digital surveillance system; replacement radios for teachers; base radio; new school phone system.

Independence Middle: No requests. School listed “excellent” under both facilities and safety and security issue categories.

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Beckley Elementary: Gymnasium (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: More classrooms; speed limit signs for front of school; window blinds.

Bradley Elementary: Separate gymnasium/cafeteria (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Classroom security locks and outside security doors.

Clear Fork Elementary: Bathroom upgrades, painting in classrooms, lighting around school, sidewalks and awning placed in front of the school (all requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Window blinds; wireless network; outlets near sinks removed/additional outlets installed; school fax line; safety pads and mats; flashing lights on main road; keyless entry; playground equipment; computers and computer equipment.

Fairdale Elementary: The new school is still under construction.

Hollywood Elementary: Sidewalk needs replaced, larger parking lot and a guard rail for the front of the school (all requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: New carpet and tile in hallways; classroom lighting; sink in third grade classrooms;

Marsh Fork Elementary: Gymnasium needs painted and new student desks and chairs (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: New office entrance; replace old carpet with tile; replace broken windows; paint classrooms; hand rails.

Stanaford Elementary: New bleachers (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Storage areas; more classrooms; outside doors; fencing around playground; electrical outlets; safety access camera and keyless entry; locks for classroom doors.

Stratton Elementary: Locks on interior classroom doors (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Office side of schools needs updated; tile in hallways and first floor restrooms; boys restrooms needs remodeled; gym needs renovated.

Coal City Elementary: Separate gym and cafeteria (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

Crab Orchard Elementary: New requested improvements include additional parking, fencing, a new roof, windows and safety door; heating and electrical upgrades; air conditioning; one way signs for bottom of the hill; paving; and security cameras.

Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary: More classrooms, fenced-in playground and upgrades to the electrical system including air conditioning (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Tile in all rooms and hallways; new bathroom fixtures; additional restrooms; and new gutters.

Crescent Elementary: New wiring to allow air conditioning units and eliminate opening windows in first floor classrooms, new gym bleachers and additional paved parking to alleviate traffic (all requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Larger storage building for lawnmowers and snow blowers (snow blower is currently being stored in girls restrooms); new main office near the front door.

Lester Elementary: Phones in classrooms for alerts and emergency assistance and new windows in old section of the school (both requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New requests: Replace old carpet with tile; classrooms painted.

Mabscott Elementary: Air conditioning and new bathrooms (both requested at 2008 LSIC meetings)

New requests: Classrooms painted; exterior painting of eaves and soffit; cafeteria and kitchen ceilings painted and dropped; replacing carpet with tile; drainage issues in faculty parking lot

Maxwell Hill Elementary: Mobile computer labs for upstairs (3rd-5th graders); window shades; more outdoor lighting in back of school and exit road; parking lots need to be re-lined; security system.

Sophia-Soak Creek Elementary: Separate cafeteria and air conditioning in gymnasium (both requested at 2008 LSIC meeting.

New requests: Two preschool classrooms; additional storage areas; awning over the parent pick-up area of school; new guttering; larger parking lot; privacy fence between school and trailer park; new student chairs and desks.

Daniels Elementary: Road around school to alleviate traffic issues (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

Ghent Elementary: Updates to student restrooms; tile in main hallway needs replaced; air conditioning.

Shady Spring Elementary: Eight additional classrooms, separate gym/cafeteria and security cameras inside and at major exits in the building (also requested at 2008 LSIC meetings).

New request: Phone access in each classroom for emergencies.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com