NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Metro school officials are reporting the warmer temperatures this winter is helping many schools save money that can be spent in other areas at a later time.
"[This is] one of the mildest winters we've ever seen, it's a great improvement over last year," Director of Maintenance and Operations Thomas Hatfield said.
According to Hatfield, due to the unseasonably warm temperatures, Metro public schools have saved thousands of dollars.
"This year we've had 50% less in overtime. [It's] about $50,000 we've saved having a mild winter. We've saved on mechanical systems. Those things are kicking off and we're not getting the heat bills and electric bills that we normally get," explained Hatfield.
Currently Metro schools have only canceled classes one time this winter due to snowy weather, which is an improvement over last year when students had to makeup extra snow days used.
Hatfield said despite the mild winter thus far, workers are prepared for any forecasted snow accumulations.
"We're not through yet. We're taking it a day at a time and we're ready," he said.
Despite the current savings, officials said that money will likely be spent in the future on other necessities.
"In fact we said, ‘Does [the savings] mean we get to hire more teachers or so forth?' But the practice is to put it in the reserve funds. [It's] a sunny day today, but tomorrow could be a rainy day and we want to be prepared," Assistant Director of Schools Meredith Libbey said.
Last year, officials said the reserve fund was depleted with due to the extremely cold winter.
