How to save $7 million on taxpayer funded upgrades
Newly retitled Assistant Superintendent for Operations Jenny Purvis credits the discovery and implementation of an alternative roof repair option with a savings to Moore County Schools’ bottom line of more than $867,000. During a report May 8, 2023, before the Moore County Board of Education Purvis recommended contracting with a roof restoration bidder that utilizes a silicon sealant to upgrade roofs at three county schools — Elise, High Falls and North Moore. The board voted 7-0 to go forward with the projects at cost of slightly more than $411,000. The original roof restoration budget contemplated replacing the three roofs for $1.27 million. The savings windfall marks a continued and stark departure from budgeting under the administration of former Superintendent Robert Grimesey and his operations director John Birath (photo nearby). Earlier in 2023, the board approved a plan to upgrade five school gymnasiums at a 70 percent savings over a budgeted amount of $8.8 million. Combined with savings on the roof projects, Purvis confirmed that $7 million+ has been liberated to be allocated to other infrastructure needs. Additionally, the duration of the gym projects was cut back from two to three years to a matter of months. Board vice chair David Hensley said he recommends prioritizing Crain’s Creek Middle School, where overcapacity has forced classes to spill into temporary trailers that do not have restrooms. He foresees a permanent addition for the school and elimination of the trailers. “To prevent another baseless attack by The Pilot,” Hensley asked Purvis, “are we cutting corners to save on any of these projects?” Purvis responded by noting that the silicon roof restoration previously has succeeded in solving roof problems at several other county schools. She said each upgraded roof comes with a 15-year warranty.
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