Behind the Scenes of the Summer Rush at LCS
The end of the school year for students often means the beginning of a busy and highly strategized season for two departments at LaRue County Schools: Maintenance and Transportation. Throughout the year, certain projects can progress while others are still in the planning stage. However, some projects occur when the hallways and classrooms are empty.
WL Miller, Director of Facilities and Maintenance at LCS, utilizes June and July for projects that not only maintain the buildings in top condition but also implement necessary upgrades. “As the end of the school year is drawing near and everyone is thinking of a break and some R and R, the maintenance staff marches on as business as usual. Time doesn't stop and the district's buildings are just like an aging person who needs more and more care with age.”
Systems at each school will be addressed in the summer plan, Miller explains, ”HVAC units will receive preventative maintenance, and cooling towers will be checked for optimal performance. Plumbing issues will be addressed at each school, along with any necessary electrical repairs for safety. Roof leaks are prioritized and addressed, as well as gutter repairs and replacements. We will be painting as help allows. The old football concession will be totally remodeled for turf equipment and items needed for graduation on the field. Abraham Lincoln Elementary School will have carpet and laminate installed. Hodgenville Elementary School will also be getting carpet installed in areas, along with a parking lot sealcoat. Middle school cafeteria heating units will be replaced. Elementary and POCS playgrounds will receive attention and mulch. The Life Connection classrooms require attention to lighting and flooring. Custodial staff will clean and remove all furniture from classrooms. Classrooms will be cleaned and floors will be stripped and waxed. While this isn’t everything, it is an overview of what goes on every summer.”
Meanwhile, the Transportation Department has projects of their own they will be embarking on, describes Nathan Wheeler, Director of Transportation, “We do a lot of big maintenance items in the summer: brakes, tires, services, engine repairs etc. The summertime works well for this because we don’t have to have the bus back on a route that afternoon. We also repair a lot of seat covers on buses, which can be very time-consuming.”
Another aspect of their work involves logistics for the coming school year, Wheeler continues, “I do anticipate some driver turnover due to retirement, etc. When a driver receives a new route, I work with them to learn the new route. We go out and drive it multiple times in the bus that will be used on that route.”
As summer begins, Miller sums up the work he and his team will be doing along with the Transportation department, “It will be a race to get done and ready for Aug. We will work long and hard this summer, making it as close to perfect by August as we can get it. We hope everyone has a great summer!”
