DOBSON — Surry County commissioners agreed Monday night that they need a little more time to research whether to give the go-ahead for Mount Airy City Schools to apply for federal stimulus money in order to further school building projects.

Mount Airy City Schools Superintendent Dr. Darrin Hartness said that the system could qualify for $1.5 million in stimulus money.

“There are several things available right now through the federal stimulus package,” Hartness said. But in order to receive that funding, the school board needs to get approval from the county board of commissioners.

Hartness suggested the board give the nod to go ahead with final phase of renovations to Mount Airy High School, which would include the relocation of the front entrance, renovation and expansion of the media center and relocation of the office and guidance area. In addition, the remaining original windows on the front and side of the school will be replaced. The cost estimate of the high school construction is $2.5 million.

Hartness also suggested replacement of the fascia on the Mount Airy High School gymnasium at a cost of $100,000; cafeteria renovations with an estimate of $525,000; and the replacement of the HVAC controls at B.H. Tharrington Primary and at Mount Airy Middle School with an estimated cost of $225,000. Hartness said he thought he could get some funding for the heating and air project through energy assistance grants.

Due to the downward trend in the economy, the county board has pushed several school projects forward, and in return, it got lower than expected bids.

Construction of a new Dobson district elementary school is currently underway. Construction has begun on the new Pilot Mountain Middle School, and Elkin’s construction projects were sent out to bid early because of low construction costs. The Elkin City School Board is slated to come before the county board in August with those construction bids.

The commissioners have been adamant about not raising taxes in an already struggling economy.

“You have seen a nice trend in bidding recently,” Hartness said. In speaking of the Dobson and Pilot Mountain projects, he said, “Those two came in at 70 percent less than expected. That is great news for this county. Projects like these put people to work in Surry County. I can’t think of a better time to fund — fund the last phases of renovations at Mount Airy High School. If we chose not to take advantage of these opportunities, the state will reallocate the funds.”

Chairman Craig Hunter thanked Hartness for his diligence, but showed some resistance to going forward with the project if it means that Surry County will have to foot the bill for any construction projects that are not 100-percent funded.

“You are doing your job, and we appreciate you. Your news is new news to us. With the savings we had on the Dobson and Pilot Mountain, we moved Elkin ahead. We were just so impressed with the bids that have come in so low,” Hunter said.

Commissioners Paul Johnson and Jimmy Miller agreed with Hunter.

“You want a fast pace, but government doesn’t work that way,” Hunter said.

Commissioner Jim Harrell Jr. suggested that the board try to get the necessary information in order to make a more informed decision before the grant deadline of July 31.

The board meets again on Wednesday night for a Water Management Planning Session with the UNC School of Government. The board agreed to re-address the Mount Airy City Schools requests at that time.

“We understand where you are coming from, we are right with you,” said Miller.

After the meeting, Hartness said in an e-mail, “I hope they will take this opportunity to take advantage of the federal stimulus interest-free bonds to address the media center renovation/expansion and front entrance relocation at Mount Airy High School. The media center is in desperate need of renovation. There are several other projects that might also be addressed that were included in the Surry County Economic Stimulus Plan.”