By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

A Verbena High School representative has asked the Chilton County Board of Education for a study to compare the cost of maintaining the existing facility to building a new building.

Diane Patterson presented the request to the board during the July 18 voting session.

“I would like for the board to do a feasibility study, and I would like for you to compare the cost for the maintenance that you do each month, week … compared to building a new school,” Patterson said.

The Board of Education did not discuss the request during the meeting, and it was not added to the agenda.

Patterson said in the past when the school has brought up issues they have been told “we are looking at getting you a new school.” She asked how far along this process was.

“We do have the oldest school in the county and we do have lots and lots and lots of things that need to be done,” Patterson said. “We do know it is a 100-year-old building.”

Issues with the building were listed as mold, sewage smell and a roof that has been patched multiple times.

As a VHS alumnus, Patterson said she loves the school, “but memories as nostalgia — that’s not getting it done anymore. We can’t patch anymore.”

The desire is for a new school to be built away from the railroad tracks with a new gymnasium and auditorium.

“We would like to hear from you within 30 days, whether you can hire an architect or whether you can’t,” Patterson said.

Facility issues had been discussed with Superintendent Tommy Glasscock at the Verbena Town Hall meeting held last month.