CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System presented its proposed budget for 2023-24 this week, and includes the need for roof restorations at several schools to avoid “catastrophic failures” in the future.
Schools Chief Financial Officer Chris Reneau spoke for the school system during the meeting. Toward the end, Reneau pleaded with the Budget Committee for additional funding for 10 capital budget projects costing a total $8.5 million. Seven of the 10 projects involve repairing roofs on schools.
Reneau said a multitude of roofs are at the end of their 20- to 25-year lifespan, and bad weather has only worsened their condition. Roof renovations could buy another 20 years of extended life. The renovations involve repairs and replacement of some sections, to avoid full roof replacements.
The presentation listed the following schools in need the work: Kenwood High, Burt Elementary, Byrns Darden Elementary, Rossview High, Northeast High, New Providence Middle and Minglewood Elementary.
“I understand the county has a lot to pay for out of property taxes,” Reneau said during the meeting. “But the longer we wait, the more expensive it’s going to get, and if we continue to delay it longer, they could have catastrophic failures. That’s definitely a situation we don’t want to be in.”
The following are the three additional capital budget projects CMCSS listed:
- Replacing the Kenwood High fire alarm system.
- Updating the electrical switchgear at Barksdale Elementary.
- Systemwide site construction.
CMCSS projects a general-purpose budget with $398 million in revenue and $419,000 in expenses. That’s a 16% increase from the $360 million budget (after amendments) in 2022-23, with much of that additional cost coming from staff needed for new schools.
The Budget Committee will finalize the county budget once they have met with the remaining county departments.