NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Crews are continuing to work to make sure Metro-Davidson County schools are ready for students return later this week.
This year maintenance crews had around 50 days from the last day of school to the start of the 2012-2013 school year to make all necessary improvements.
"We still have some ceiling tiles that are going in, even at this point. [We] still have some air conditioning, rooms that are hot that the guys are out working on," explained Thomas Hatfield, director of Metro Schools' maintenance department.
He continued, "There are surprises by the hour this time of the year but yeah, we've done well. There's always some incidentals that come in and other emergencies that come in."
Hatfield told Nashville's News 2 keeping classrooms cool during the month of August is often challenging, especially since the units are shut down completely when school is let out for the summer.
"Air conditioning crews have been working probably since back in May. [Working] 10 to 12 hours a day," he said.
Hatfield said he and his crews knew it would be more difficult this summer to complete all the tasks and improvements since there were roughly 20 fewer days of summer.
"I've got to let my team know that we're going to do it. Sometimes there's some reservation in the back of my mind, but we're able to do it," he said. "It means they work a little longer and extended hours. They're tired, but they do well. They know we're going to start school on August 1."
Metro students are set to return to school on Wednesday for a half-day.
The first full day of class for students is Friday.
