Operations report: wastewater plant closure, roofing repairs and multiple summer projects outlined
Summary
Dr. Eric Wright told trustees the district has begun permitting and contractor work to close a local wastewater treatment plant, completed targeted roof repairs and scheduled summer asphalt and roofing projects including a large Colleton County High School roofing contract.
Dr. Eric Wright, director of operational management, provided trustees with a multi‑point update on buildings and grounds work, saying the division has begun permitting and construction on multiple capital and maintenance projects.
Wright said the district submitted an application to the county planning department and has an approved planning permit to start demolition work and closure of the wastewater treatment plant at the Rough Fend site; he said the awarded contractor was on site and the district expects to complete required closure paperwork before the August deadline. "We are full steam ahead with the roughing project," Wright said, adding that the planning permit has been approved and work had begun.
He told trustees the district had repaired an isolated roofing issue at Cottageville Elementary School that had caused water intrusion in the spring months. Wright also reported an air‑conditioning issue at Colleton County Middle School was resolved the day after a recent event, and the division plans an RFP to identify vendors that can provide assessment, repairs and on‑call services for HVAC work going forward.
On larger roofing work, Wright said the protest period for the Colleton County High School roof project had passed and the awarded contractor began organizational work; he said the district anticipates mobilizing the contractor the week of June 16 with an approximate 180‑day contract window that could carry work into November, weather permitting.
Wright said asphalt repaving for Colleton County Middle School is scheduled to start the week of June 16, covering both sides A and B, so the surface will be ready before students return. He also said the district will perform a roofing assessment for Colleton County Middle School to determine whether a targeted repair or a full roofing project is needed. Bells Elementary School will likewise receive remediation intended to mitigate ongoing water intrusion after prior construction.
Board members asked for follow up on several localized issues, including sidewalk run‑off at Bells Elementary; Wright said the assessment process will determine the scope of work and whether repairs should be included in upcoming capital projects.
Wright said a new buildings and grounds director, Justin Simpson, would start the week of June 23 and that the division expects to accelerate repairs with an RFP in place for HVAC and on‑call services.
