Florence County School District 3 says ESSER-funded Phase 1A complete; Phase 1B under way, Phase 2 pending bond match
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Laura Hickson reported completion of Phase 1A repairs funded by remaining ESSER money, outlined the scope of Phase 1B work at Lake City Early Childhood and other sites, and said Phase 2 — larger HVAC, lighting, roof and window projects — will move forward only after bond match and her signature.
Dr. Laura Hickson, superintendent of Florence County School District 3, told the board on Feb. 20 that Phase 1A of district facility upgrades funded with remaining ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) dollars is complete and that Phase 1B work has begun, focusing on lighting, kitchen wall packs, HVAC rebalancing and exhaust fans at Lake City Early Childhood and other sites.
The update matters because the work addresses immediate building needs before ESSER funds expire and will affect school operations and energy costs. "We were very pleased with the outcome of Phase 1A," Hickson said, noting that recent heavy rain produced no leaks at renovated sites.
Hickson summarized Phase 1A scope as comprehensive air sealing, window film, rooftop pipe-boot installations and other targeted repairs. Phase 1B will replace interior and exterior high-intensity lighting, install new kitchen wall packs, rebalance split HVAC systems serving gyms and cafeterias, and add exhaust fans; the superintendent said those lighting and HVAC changes are expected to yield utility savings. She said work at Nexidia Early Childhood will continue as part of Phase 1B.
Hickson also presented an initial assessment of older equipment across the district: at Dr. Ronald E. McNair School, 69% of HVAC units are more than 20 years old; at Main Street Elementary, about 66% of HVAC units exceed 20 years. Those figures were cited to explain why future HVAC replacements and automation systems are among Phase 2 priorities.
Phase 2 will include lighting upgrades, HVAC replacement, window replacements, building automation systems, electrical upgrades and roof replacements, Hickson said, but she has not yet signed contracts to begin Phase 2 work. She said the district previously voted to pursue bond funding and that she will review bond match requirements before signing any Phase 2 kickoff documents. A meeting to begin Phase 2 planning was scheduled for Feb. 26, she said.
Hickson also described recent site-specific finishing work: completed floors and bleachers at Gramercy McNair and J. Paul Chula, installation of volleyball poles and painting at Ronald E. McNair’s gym entry. She said principals and staff reported improved conditions and that the district expects to invite board members for site visits once remaining items, such as curtains and wall pads, are installed.
No formal vote on Phase 2 occurred at the meeting; Hickson said she would sign authorizations only after confirming the required bond match and reviewing the scope with board members.
The superintendent tied several projects to previously approved bond direction and to remaining ESSER funding, emphasizing the district’s intent to sequence urgent repairs first and larger capital replacements later.
Looking ahead, Hickson said the district will continue Phase 1B work and hold a Phase 2 kickoff meeting on Feb. 26. She emphasized that Phase 2 spending will proceed only after required matching funds and formal authorization are in place.