State releases $1 mil. for school in Pioche

CARSON CITY -- The state Board of Examiners today released $1 million to build an elementary school in Pioche to replace the one that has been declared unsafe for students.

Von Higbee, superintendent of schools in Lincoln County, told the board that the "situation has reached a critical point because of years of deterioration."

The money was allocated by the Legislature after an engineer found the school to be in poor condition.

Higbee said some students are still in classes in parts of the school and others are in trailers. He said risk management experts claim parts of the existing school can be used if the school district increases its insurance.

The law allocating the money says the county must be at the maximum tax rate of $3.64 and its assessed valuation must be declining. State Budget Director Perry Comeaux said both conditions have been met.

This is the third time in the last 25 years the state has stepped in to bail out Lincoln County schools. "The state has been very good to us," the superintendent said.

Higbee said county crews will start moving dirt Monday for the project. Lincoln County intends to be the contractor for the job and it will hire some subcontractors for the work, he said. By using county crews, there will be a savings of $600,000, he said.

The project should be completed next spring.

Higbee also said part of the Lincoln County High School has been condemned, including the auditorium and one gym. He said the county will apply to a special $16 million fund set up by the Legislature for help to alleviate that condition.

Gov. Kenny Guinn, board chairman, said this school construction is becoming a "critical problem." Some old hospitals also are in poor shape. He said the state had to take over the hospital in Nye County.

The governor said an overall look at the problem of decaying schools and health care facilities will be made.

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