JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
In a special-called meeting, members of Marion County’s Board of Education (BoE) accepted a bid from roofing firm JDH Company regarding re-roofing projects for several county schools for over $2.2 million.
The re-roofing project has been an ongoing topic of discussion across several BoE meetings, with two of the projects being last brought up in conversation during last month’s public meeting. According to Director of Schools Mark Griffith, four schools total will receive re-roofing: South Pittsburg Elementary, Jasper Elementary, Whitwell Elementary, and Marion County High School. Marion County High and South Pittsburg Elementary will receive complete re-roofing across the board, while Jasper and Whitwell Elementary will receive only partial re-roofing at both facilities’ cafeteria areas.
“Its age related that’s taking place,” explained Griffith. “The two elementary schools we’re looking at have metal roofs except over the cafeteria and gymnasium, and the cafeteria is starting to deteriorate on both of those. So we’re going to go ahead and get those re-done.”
Griffith explained because of age and the elements, both Marion County High Schools and South Pittsburg Elementary have received various leaks, prompting the board to finally take action to address the ongoing issues. Additionally, South Pittsburg High School will also receive a partial re-roof of its own, adding on as a fifth addition within the approved 270 day based project.
“There’s 270 days documented for the completion of the projects, and we’ve asked if all the roofs could be done simultaneously,” said Griffith. “They’re going to do one big project and one small project, and then another big and small project within those 270 days.”
By hosting the special called meeting, the board was able to officially give the go ahead with the $2,290,098.00 bid from JDH Company, avoiding a price increase if hosting the meeting in January. Prior to officially beginning, a separate bid meeting is set to be held in February with JDH Company, who is aiming to have the countywide project officially commence March 1 at the earliest.
“We’re ready to move forward,” said Griffith.