Dickenson County Virginia Schools Need Repairs

This stands as a record of what has not been done in Dickenson County Schools as of 2010.
See Dickenson County Virginia Schools a Symbol of Failure 2010.

As of 2015 the $10 million used to underwrite call centers has yielded about 100 jobs.

By RENA POWERS, Staff Writer, March 06, 2002

Dickenson County high schools would need $14.3 million worth of upgrades to bring them up to current standards, according to a school needs assessment. The three high schools' mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems are outdated and in need of extensive and expensive upgrades, the study says.

The high schools are older structures, the study points out, and are in need of upgrades due to general wear. The buildings also need upgrades to bring them in compliance with current building and fire codes. In addition, the schools were constructed before strict guidelines for handicapped accessibility were in place.

The study also recommended that tile in all high school buildings should be tested to determine if it contains asbestos.

The school needs assessment was conducted by Beeson, Lusk and Street, Inc., a Johnson City, TN., architectural and engineering firm, and was presented to the school board Feb. 19.

The Dickenson County Planning Commission recommended the study, which began last fall, and the board of supervisors agreed to provide up to $50,000 to pay for it.

The planning commission had asked that the study include the cost to upgrade schools to current building standards and codes, a comparison of high school renovation and consolidation costs and new high school construction costs.

However, neither consolidation or new construction costs were included in the final draft. But school superintendent Dr. Danny C. Greear said the information will be presented to the board March 20.

Information presented in February, however, rated the county's high schools in poor to average condition. None of the high schools were determined to be in good condition.

CLINTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AND ANNEX

The needs assessment found Clintwood High School to be in average to poor condition, and the annex in poor condition. The study determined it will take about $3.4 million to upgrade the main building, and about $2.1 million to upgrade the annex.

The main building has settled in the northeast corner, causing cracks in the walls of the office area, and single pane windows need to be replaced for energy conservation, the study says. The building also needs new floor, ceiling and wall finishes in some areas. One room on the first floor has a sunken floor slab, the study found, which needs to be investigated to determine if it will sink further and repairs should be made. Doors in some locations are not rated to current fire standards, and no separation between corridors and stairwells exists.

Second floor restrooms and all locker rooms should be made handicapped accessible. Door hardware should also be upgraded to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, and stair handrails do not meet current code standards.

The architects also determined that new lockers are needed throughout the building. Plus, the science rooms are in need of repair, and some rooms have been subdivided with frame walls that should be fire rated.

The building's exterior is in need of resealing and some of the brickwork needs to be repaired or replaced.

While some repairs have been made to the annex, some are not in compliance with the current building code, the study said.

Dampness and water infiltration have been a problem at the rear of the building.

Separation between the corridors and stairwells should be reworked, and doors should be brought in compliance with current codes. Door hardware should also be upgraded to comply with ADA standards.

In addition, the stage in the auditorium, the second and third floors of the building and the third floor restrooms are not handicapped accessible.

Exterior upgrades to brickwork and metal trim are also needed.

ERVINTON HIGH SCHOOL

Ervinton High School is considered to be in average to poor condition, according to the needs assessment. Renovations and upgrades needed to bring the building up to current standards are estimated at $4.1 million.

Handicapped accessibility is needed in restrooms, locker rooms, the gymnasium and the upper floor. Ramps connecting the band and locker room additions to the main building do not meet current code and should be reworked.

Single pane windows should be replaced for energy conservation, and new lockers should be installed. A canopy should be installed connecting the main building with the agricultural shop building, the study determined.

The science rooms are also in need of repair to bring them up to current standards. Some classrooms have been subdivided with frame walls that should be fire rated.

The agricultural shop building is not handicapped accessible and the classrooms are accessed from exterior entrances only. A corridor should be added for ease of access to the classrooms.

The exterior of the school needs a general cleaning and resealing, and some of the brickwork needs to be replaced or repaired. Repairs are also needed to stop leaks in the front entrance canopy.

HAYSI HIGH SCHOOL

Haysi High School is in generally poor condition, in need of about $4.6 million worth of upgrades.

The brick veneer has moved from the structure, the study says, resulting in severe cracking of the veneer and dislocation of windowsills.

Windows in the structure are single paned and should be replaced for energy conservation. Transom windows in the lower level should also be brought to current code.

Some of the rooms have also been subdivided with frame walls and should be fire rated.

Door hardware should be upgraded to comply with ADA standards. Restrooms, locker rooms, gymnasium and lower and upper floors should be made handicapped accessible. Stairway handrails need to be replaced to comply with current standards.

Two frame buildings on the campus may not even be feasible to renovate, the study says. Two other buildings need to be renovated, and handicapped restrooms need to be added to the buildings.

Coalfield.com 2002

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