Hot school days numbered under Frankfort renovation plans

FRANKFORT, Ind. (WISH) — As the temperatures climbed on Thursday to near-record-breaking highs, one Indiana school community celebrated the fact that days without air conditioning were numbered.

In August, classes were dismissed early from Frankfort High School because systems were not available to cool students and staff. Nine months later, voters agreed to pay more property taxes to provide a $30 million renovation of the building.

Community Schools of Frankfort Superintendent Don DeWeese said the 51-year-old building had never been through any major renovations.

“The bones of the building are good but the systems are worn out,” DeWeese said.

With voters approving the referendum in the May primary, the school planned to construct six new classrooms as well as new electrical, heating and cooling systems.

Relief would not be immediate because contractors were not expected to begin upgrades until March 2016.

“It might help, it might make it a little cooler to know help is on the way,” DeWeese said.