ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — Exposed pipes and leaky roofs are just some of the problems seven Alamance-Burlington Schools are facing.
This comes after a winter storm swept through the Piedmont Triad on Tuesday.
The district said Graham High School is experiencing the worst of the leaks in the district. One classroom has a large hole in the ceiling as a result of the water damage and buckled ceiling tiles.
Alamance County Commissioners are responsible for school buildings and maintenance. Vice Chair Steve Carter said ABSS has not yet sent in a request for damage and repairs. He stated the issue will most likely be discussed in their upcoming meeting next week.
One commissioner wants her colleagues to act now.
Commissioner Pamela Thompson stopped by several schools to access the damage.
"As a former board member for eight years and now a commissioner. I know that when you see on a piece of paper all the zeros and the numbers. It just can really take people for a loop," Commissioner Thompson said.
She said prevention is key and she wants her colleagues to step up and not only fix problems throughout ABSS but prevent them.
"Prevention is a principle of everything and we have to be smart. When we waited, it cost so much money. Over $20 million we sunk into mold that we didn't even know we had," Commissioner Thompson said, "If we don't do this, we're gonna be right back and we just can't pay to redo everything."
The school district said they have exhausted all their funds.
"We have water damage, sheet rock, a lot of ceiling tiles have to be replaced. At Hall River Elementary School about 1/3 of the ceiling tiles," ABSS spokesperson Les Atkins said, "Hundreds of ceiling tiles will have to be replaced today. If we don't get that replace immediately we will have another mold issue in our schools."
Eastern High School, B. Everett Jordan, Western Middle, and Western High are all dealing with leaks.
Haw River is set to get a new roof in February to address the leaks.
These leaks come mere months after the county allocated millions to address mold that was found in many ABSS schools.
"We cannot afford to take steps backwards. Adequate funding for roofs, water intrusion, and HVAC must be considered by the County to prevent this from happening again," said ABSS. "This aftermath from this storm is just one example that shows the need for increased support."
The district said they plan to request additional funds from the county.
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