Elizabeth Bailey
Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part series detailing a North alum and current ag teacher’s feelings on the needs of the county schools. The Daily News will do a number of stories discussing the needs and the costs involved with the possible renovation of the county schools.
As a proud Charger who made it his mission to return to the school from which he graduated, North Decatur agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Scott Johnson sees a potential for greatness in the proposed building project for the county schools.
In addition to scheduling difficulties, the building also creates distractions for students because of its lack of efficiency when it comes to heating and cooling. One classroom will be temperate, Johnson noted, while another experiences temperature extremes that create discomfort. The windows leak air and make it difficult for the aging boilers to keep up, he explained.
“The state requires more and more of us as educators,” Johnson noted, “and it just makes it more difficult with all these little distractions.”
In order to combat the high energy costs of trying to keep the building constantly warm in the winter and cool in the summer, systems are dialed back at night. However, this practice created difficulty for the greenhouses at both North and South, Johnson explained, as they need to remain above 65 degrees. Initially, milk house heaters were tried, but in order to fully address the problem, auxiliary heating systems had to be installed, serving as another example of how patching problems prevents long-term planning and the completion of larger projects.
As someone who shares tools with the maintenance staff, Johnson knows first hand how creative they have been.
“It is amazing the things they do to patch things together,” he said. “We’re doing our best to keep up, but we’re falling behind.”
Johnson sees great things happening at North and is impressed by the work done by students and staff involved in drama. He noted that it is difficult to imagine their productions being better, but he knows they could be if they had a better facility. He also knows teachers work hard to give students a rigorous education and recognizes that removing some of the distractions and scheduling challenges would only make things better.
If North had an auditorium, he noted, FFA would use it often. As it is, the group has outgrown the cafeteria and has to go off-site for its banquets. When they travel to competitions and other activities, he noted, most of the schools they visit use an auditorium. Beyond that, he believes that the community could also benefit.
Each year, Johnson has noticed more deterioration in the building, which equates to more distractions and a more difficult job for teachers and staff. Although the cost is daunting, he noted, the potential benefits are great. As a Decatur County taxpayer, he is ready and willing to do his part to make the county schools as great for future generations as it has been for those who have come before.
“I hope every kids who graduates here will want to come back,” he said, “and want their kids to go to the same schools.”
While Johnson has his perspective, it is not the only one. For community members who want an inside look, the corporation has scheduled a series of dates and times to stop by and learn more. Guests will be provided a guided tour as well as an opportunity to discuss plans for building upgrades. These will not take place during the instructional day without prior approval of the building and administrator and superintendent Dr. Dan Roach, however times have been arranged at a variety of points in the day in order to enable maximum participation. The first of these will be held from 5 to 7:30 a.m. next Wednesday at North Decatur Jr/Sr High School. Other opportunities will follow at North on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 8 to 10 p.m. At South Decatur Jr/Sr High School, opportunities to view the building are available next Friday from 5 to 7:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 15 from 4 - 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 8 to 10 p.m.
Those with questions or wishing to set up a different time may call the corporation office at 663-4595.
