Old Fort Elementary cleared for reopening; board approves extra $100,000 for HVAC capital project

McDowell County Schools reported July 14 that extensive remediation at Old Fort Elementary is largely complete and that multiple inspections have cleared the building for occupancy, and the district requested an additional $100,000 for a previously approved HVAC capital project to address urgent equipment failures across the district.

Miss Ramey, the district finance presenter, told the board the county commissioners provided a $600,000 increase across two line items this year — a $300,000 low‑wealth funding offset and an increase in current expense — and that the district has spent about $3.6 million on hurricane (Helene) recovery through June 30 and received about $2.8 million so far, with an expected $700,000–$750,000 more from insurance and FEMA reimbursements.

Facilities staff reviewed repairs at Old Fort Elementary and said BELFOR had accounted for about $3.2 million of the total $3.6 million. Jeff Vaughn and district personnel reported that a certified structural engineer deemed the building safe for occupancy, that air-quality testing had been performed and deemed safe, and that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cleared the cafeteria kitchen to open. The facilities report said flooring and major interior repairs are complete or near completion and that doors, cabinetry and other punch-list items remain. The facilities director recommended returning Old Fort Elementary to its principal, Jill Ward, for normal operations beginning July 15.

Separately, facilities director Mr. Marsh requested an additional $100,000 be added to a previously approved $150,000 HVAC capital project, explaining the district is facing multiple failing HVAC units across 22 facilities, including recent failures of the water-source pump and chiller at Eastfield Global Magnet School and an urgent pump rebuild at the high school. Mr. Marsh said some HVAC repairs are immediate and vital to open schools safely.

Board member Mr. Barksdale moved to increase the HVAC capital appropriation by $100,000 (raising the project total to $250,000); the motion was seconded by Mr. Allison and approved by the board at the meeting.

District staff said they requested the additional appropriation to avoid calling an emergency meeting if another urgent HVAC issue arises before the next regular meeting; they also said they will report back to the board if the full $100,000 request is not spent.

On grounds work, the district reported coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, county staff, FEMA, and local contractors on debris removal and erosion remediation near Mill Creek, reseeding and stabilizing grounds, replacing a damaged flagpole and coordinating parking-lot paving and striping as part of a state grant for Pleasant Gardens Elementary. Marion provided a street sweeper at no charge to clean Old Fort's parking lot.

The report listed ongoing projects at other campuses — including HVAC maintenance across 22 facilities, summer painting and flooring programs, Chromebook refresh preparations, and conversion of a West McDowell classroom to a self-contained special-education classroom — and said the district expects to be funding-neutral on Helene-related costs once outstanding insurance and FEMA reimbursements arrive.

The board did not take a separate vote to reopen Old Fort; the facilities director made the recommendation and staff said they will supervise remaining punch-list work and notify the board of final costs.