By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — In September, the Trussville City Board of Education approved a 19-item capital plan, a prioritized list that outlines the major capital projects that the system anticipates completing in the next five years.
One of the items on that list has now taken priority.
Trussville City Schools Superintendent Pattie Neill said acquiring land and constructing a maintenance/transportation shop, including a warehouse type storage facility, has “risen to the top” of the prioritized list.
With the impending demolition of Jack Wood Stadium and renovation of the adjacent school building, 27 buses parked behind the school must go somewhere once school begins in August 2016. An additional seven buses parked at Amerex will need to go somewhere, too, according to school officials. There are 62 school buses in the system.
Facility Coordinator Barry Davis said the former middle and high school encompasses more than 10,000 square feet of storage, which will all have to move before renovations can begin.
Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Jim Kirkland said he would like to see a maintenance/transportation shop and warehouse facility in the same place. He said bus mechanics have done their work at Trussville Fire Department Station No. 1 behind Trussville City Hall since the school system was formed. He noted that it’s been done that way due to the system’s great relationship with the city.
“They have no place (of their own) to actually do work,” Kirkland said of the mechanics.
Kirkland said he’d like school and city officials to begin looking for land for the possible maintenance shop and storage facility.
This will likely be discussed further at the next board of education meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the Central Office. A public work session is at 4:30 p.m.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.