OLIVE BRANCH, MS (abc24.com) - "Finish installing our windows" is what DeSoto County Schools is telling a Mid-South construction company.
Students at Olive Branch Middle School haven't been able to see out of their classrooms for months. Most of their windows are boarded up since a construction project stalled. With winter approaching, that's unacceptable.
"That's awful," says taxpayer Bettie Randle. "To be in a building without windows? Can't do it."
"It is getting cold," says another local taxpayer, Sharon Weaver. "The windows are boarded up? That's not good at all."
More than half the building's windows are boards. They were supposed to be replaced by Wagner General Contracting over the summer.
Board members say construction started five months ago in June. They've given the company until November 14th to start work. If that doesn't happen, Desoto's superintendent says Wagner's contract will likely be terminated and a new company hired.
"Children are important," says Weaver. "They're very important. You've got to keep them safe, and keeping them safe is keeping them warm."
Wagner blames the setback on supply issues.
"The company needs to put a rush on it, and make an extra effort to get those windows in there," says Weaver.
Wagner refused to speak to abc24.com, but most, like Randle, hope the company acts on it.
"Would you want to be in a building without windows?" she asks. "Think about it. If you were in jail, that's a building without windows. So that's like being in jail."
