School Board Approves Funds for Renovations

The Springfield School Board voted to approve over $161,000 in funds for the district’s Service Life Extension Program earlier this month.

The program aims to extend the life of the district’s current buildings so that it doesn’t have to build new ones.

“On a five year cycle we contract with a firm that makes recommendations for renovations,” said school board member Doug Carney.  “We then prioritize those recommendations and go from there.”

Carney estimated that the board actually acts on about 25 percent of the recommendations.

“The program allows us to keep our buildings in like-new condition.”

Carney estimated that most of the district’s buildings are around 65 years old, but the only thing original left in those buildings is the frame.

“This program isn’t new or sexy,” Carney said.  “But it allows us to upkeep our buildings without incurring a lot of debt.”