Oak Glen Middle School has received $987,370.00 in School Building Funds for renovations. Oak Glen is one of 19 schools in the State to receive funds for Fiscal Year 2024. Superintendent Dan Enich said the SBA money is an 80 percent award and must be matched by 20 percent allocation from Hancock County which will amount to $246,230.00. The school was opened in 2005 and Enich said in recent years problems had been noticed in the band and locker room areas.
According to Enich the problems are caused by pyrite deposits in the earth. When water hits pyrite, it expands thus causing pressure on the walls in the school. He said there were cracks in the walls, doors wouldn’t open and while it hadn’t become a safety hazard yet, the administration wanted to be preemptive in their actions.
Hancock County portion of the repair has been budgeted for and will be taken from the general fund, according to Enich. The project must now be bid out and Enich said the work is expected to take at least 8 months.
