Winter hard on schools

The Grand Coulee Dam School District has had its problems with the harsh winter, and will have to repair sidewalk and playground concrete walkway problems when spring arrives.

Sidewalks in front of the new school have had surface problems and the same problems have cropped up on playground surfaces, Superintendent Paul Turner advised the school board at its last meeting.

The surface in front of the school appeared to partially be because of using snow and ice removal chemicals. Turner said that he didn’t think that personnel used salt.

In another problem area, Turner advised the board that the district will be replacing the sound system in the gym.

Turner said that those attending last year’s graduation ceremony would know the problem.

During the graduation ceremony the main public address system quit working and officials tried to use a hand-held microphone, which also failed.

“It was a disaster,” Turner said.

A hand-held megaphone was eventually used in the ceremony.

Turner said that fixing the PA system would cost the district about $8,000. That work will be done in the spring also, Turner noted.