Pictorial

Highland County Public Schools need some serious maintenance. The 40-year-old high school facility and 10-year-old elementary school are aging - and showing signs that need solutions very soon. As superintendent Gary Blair prepares to address the problems in a much-anticipated capital improvement plan, supervisors holding the purse strings will need to take note. They can learn much from the recent struggles at Bath County High School, where maintenance got a low priority long enough to leave BCHS facing a far higher price tag for renovation and overhaul. At Highland, the plaster ceiling falling down in the girls' locker room is not only unsightly, but indicates a serious leak in the roof above. Left unattended, the damage will spread and become even more costly to fix the longer it's left to rot. It's one of a number of seemingly small problems that go beyond a quick fix or patch. Some of the damage can be felt in the hearts and minds of students who are held to high standards academically and athletically, but subjected to substandard conditions in classrooms where they are expected to excel. Blair's leadership will be tested as he works with the school board, supervisors, and especially county taxpayers, to convince them it's time to spend some money. He warns us the years of bare-bones budgets are nearing an end. He's certainly shown constraint in the two budgets he has submitted so far, but costly facility repairs have been postponed for years so the school budget can be kept as low as possible. By the looks of the disrepair, a manageable plan should be able to take care of the major fixes without too much expense, but not for very long if Highland is to avoid a major renovation like the one ongoing in Bath. Students and staff deserve a school they can be proud of. Not only do these buildings serve education, but they are also a central hub in Highland, hosting everything from thousands of Maple Festival and county fair visitors each year, to meetings, programs, and exhibits that could not be accommodated in any other county facility. And it won't be long before recreation facilities are added, attracting even more to the campus. These halls are worth the investment required to keep them clean, operational, and safe for all ages. Be prepared for what that might take.