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The board approved approximately 20 projects to be completed this summer throughout the district. The projects mainly focus on issues of safety and security.

The projects include installing fencing at Amanda Moore, Hamilton Parsons and Croswell elementary schools.

The final decision regarding the proposed fence for Washington Elementary School will be discussed at the July meeting, following a meeting with residents from an adjacent neighborhood who have issues with where the fence is going to be installed.

There are also several buildings in the district that require work to prevent or reverse potential safety hazards including sink holes, as well as replacing a kitchen floor and damaged concrete.

Safety issues will also be addressed regarding the entrances of Romeo High School and Washington Elementary School.

Fixing the entrance of the high school will be seen as an inexpensive temporary fix that will relocate the Students Enriching Romeo through Volunteer Experiences office, and move the student and visitor check-in closer to the building entrance.

A camera system is being explored for Washington Elementary that would work in conjunction with a buzzer to allow visitors into the building.

Repairs to the air conditioning system at Hamilton Parsons Elementary School were also discussed as an alternative to fully replacing a couple of malfunctioning units.

Executive Director of Business Affairs Cynthia Schwark said these projects need to be completed as soon as possible because they all constitute immediate safety issues.

“Those definitely have to be done this summer,” said Schwark.

Schwark said most of the projects slated for this summer should be completed by Sept. 1, but some may have to extend into the first part of the school year. Those projects, Schwark said, will most likely be the projects that will not affect students in the building, such as the instillation of the fences.

Concerns were expressed by board members after a preliminary estimated budget for the total cost of all the projects for the next four years was released. The cost for all the projects, which the community compiled with the administration and the board, exceeded $14 million.

The sinking fund will only bring in approximately $9.2 million, or approximately $2.3 million a year.

Schwark said this summer’s projects shouldn’t affect the district’s ability to complete most of the major projects on its want list.

However, based on the early cost projections, she said some of the major projects for some of the buildings may not be accomplished during the next four years.

The board will discuss an updated sinking fund priority list at future meetings.