CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Recent winter weather has highlighted the need for a new roof at Northwest High School, which is experiencing significant leaks in a portion of the building.
Clarksville Now received images of the water-damaged ceiling at Northwest, with a number of buckets and trash cans being used to catch leaking water.
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System crews are working on repairs today, CMCSS spokesman Anthony Johnson said in response to an inquiry from Clarksville Now.
Northwest High has experienced ongoing issues with leaking in a portion of the original building, constructed in 1970.
“The design from over 50 years ago presents some challenges for water diversion,” Johnson said. “The CMCSS Operations Department has been repairing the roof and ceiling, and a crew is at NWHS today. However, a replacement is needed.”
The price tag for a new roof at Northwest High is estimated at $250,000. In 2019, $60,000 of funding for renovation had previously been included in the School System’s capital projects list; however, CMCSS placed a hold on spending in March 2020 due to expected budget shortfalls.
CMCSS’s Operations Department plans to include the project on its Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) 3.0 list. However, a timeframe on distribution for these funds has yet to be decided.
In the meantime, Johnson said CMCSS will continue to make repairs as needed.
CMCSS is sending maintenance crews to all county facilities in inspect roofs and ceilings for damage, Johnson said.
Correction: A previous version of this article should have said that in 2019, $60,000 of funding for renovation had previously been included in the School System’s capital projects list; however, CMCSS placed a hold on spending in March 2020 due to expected budget shortfalls.