By Erin Smith
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Monday and heard an update from Bladen County Schools Superintendent, Robert Taylor, regarding the state of the buildings that make up Booker. T Washington Primary School in Clarkton.
Taylor told the board that the school was originally constructed in 1947 and since then two additions have been built.
He said that in 1957 the wing that houses the Media Center and Kindergarten was built and in 1972 the wing that houses the administrative offices was constructed.
Taylor said that window air conditioning units were installed eight years ago and 10 years ago a loan was secured to retrofit the lighting throughout the district which included Booker T Washington.
Taylor told the board that the proposed consolidation of schools is currently on hold. He said a team from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is expected to visit the district in May to see first hand what the needs are and make recommendations.
“The plan now is to replace the roof section over the 1957 addition,” said Taylor.
He added that the district has had to close classrooms in those section due to leaks.
“For the most part, the building is in good condition and well maintained, but it is not a 21st century building,” said Taylor.
In other business, Director of Computer Operations Robin Hewett updated the board on the contract for copier services. He told the board that last month he put out requests for bids and sent them out to six companies.
Hewett said that Systel returned the lowest bid using refurbished machines. He told the board that he decided to ask the other companies to also bid using refurbished equipment. He told the board that Systel was still the lowest bidder. The item will be up for consideration at the next board meeting
** The board appointed Antoine Beatty to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council as Mrs. Autry has resigned her position.
** The board approved setting April 14 at 7 p.m. as a meeting with the legislative delegation.
** The board voted to set a Board of Equalization and Review meeting for April 18 at 5:30 p.m.
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