The oldest school building in Fayette County still has some life in it, despite having lost all its students.
School Board members last week seemed to be amenable to the idea of having the school system’s Facilities Services department relocated to the former East Fayette Elementary School. The board is expected to make a decision on the move at the Feb. 9 meeting.
Facilities Services Director Mike Satterfield in a Jan. 20 letter said his department is recommending the consolidation of all its offices, workshops and storage facilities from across the school system to t East Fayette facility.
Satterfield said East Fayette would provide sufficient space for the far-flung department and would provide a measure of safety and security for equipment stored on the site. He added that the East Fayette property would serve the needs of Facilities Services for years to come.
Satterfield noted the heavy foot traffic at the department’s Lafayette Education Center facility from LEC and Fayette County High School a short distance away. He said on occasion there have been safety issues such as students climbing on equipment stored behind the building. Satterfield said that equipment at the East Fayette location would have an increased measure of safety and security with vehicles and equipment stored behind gates.
The request also includes the relocation of Food Services to East Fayette. Satterfield said there would be ample office space adjacent to the kitchen and that the recently renovated kitchen would make an excellent training center for Food Services staff.
Facilities Services components are currently located at LEC, central office, Kiwanis Field and at the Woolsey warehouse.
Board member Lee Wright during the discussion asked if there was a market for selling the East Fayette campus. The question arose because the East Fayette property was slated for sale after its replacement, Inman Elementary, opened. Satterfield in response said the school system had received a couple of inquiries, “but they didn’t go anywhere.”
Satterfield said he would like to make the move in February or March if possible, adding that the cost involved in the move would be minimal. Board members agreed to entertain the issue at the Feb. 9 meeting.
