PCHS’ future still in question
The start of a new school year is less than two weeks away and Franklin County School System officials are busy making preparations for students enrolled at Phil Campbell High School for the upcoming school year.
According to Superintendent Gary Williams, crews are in the process of installing 29 mobile units in the parking lot behind the high school.
“The mobile units will be ready to go by the first day of class,” Williams said. “We’re also in the process of installing a storm shelter on the high school grounds near the mobile units that is capable of holding 400 people.
“These kids have been through a lot and even a small storm will sound big inside those mobile units, so we want them to know there is a safe place for them to go.”
Williams said classes would be held in these units until a decision is made about the current and future state of the tornado-ravaged school.
“We have been waiting since the tornado hit to hear from our insurance company on the building’s status – on whether or not we can tear it down and start construction on a new school,” Williams said. “At this point, the insurance company wants to salvage the gym, library and the home ec and ag building, but this is unacceptable to us.”
Williams said the three buildings in question are old and would be unreliable in the event of any more severe weather.
“Those buildings went through an EF5 tornado and 200 mile per hour winds,” he said. “Who knows how much damage is there that is unseen.”
Williams said the insurance company sent notice they would be back on the school grounds starting August 1 to reassess the three buildings but they also said it would take six to eight weeks for the reassessment to be complete.
“Our hope is that all the buildings will be condemned by the insurance company so we can level everything and get to work on the new school,” Williams said. “But until they make a decision, we just have to wait.”
Williams said officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would also begin their assessment on August 1 to determine if over 50 percent of the school was damaged. If it is determined that 50 percent or more of the school was damaged by the tornado, the school system will be able to receive financial assistance from FEMA.
While they are waiting to hear back from the insurance company, Williams said the rebuilding process in other areas of the school’s campus is still taking place.
“We are making progress with the work at the high school,” Williams said. “We are getting the football field ready for the upcoming season and are getting the lights and the press box back in place. We will have a temporary concession stand and restroom facilities installed until the end of the season when work can start on a permanent facility.”
Williams said they planned to keep moving forward until Phil Campbell High School is back to where it needs to be.
“Our students’ safety is always important to us,” he said. “A nice, safe school for our students is our top priority right now. That’s what they deserve.”
