Wartburg, TN – Morgan County Schools will receive more than $66,000 in state funding to help repair and replace aging heating and cooling equipment across the school system.
Tennessee State Treasurer David H. Lillard Jr. and State Representative Ed Butler recently presented school officials with a check for $66,365 from Tennessee’s Public School Construction and Maintenance Fund.
School officials said the money will be used to update HVAC units that are approaching the end of their service life.
Morgan County Director of Schools Jamie Pemberton said the funding will provide much-needed assistance because more than 80 percent of the school system’s budget is devoted to faculty and staff, leaving limited money for building maintenance.
Pemberton said the grant will be a major resource as the district works to repair and replace its aging HVAC equipment.
The Public School Construction and Maintenance program was established by the Tennessee General Assembly to help public school systems address facility construction and maintenance needs. It is administered by the Tennessee Department of Treasury, with funding awarded annually based on statewide priorities and the amount available.
More than $10.5 million was awarded to Tennessee school systems through the program during the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Butler said the grant will benefit Morgan County Schools beyond the HVAC improvements by freeing money previously designated for those repairs for other needs.
State Senator Ken Yager said reliable heating and cooling systems are essential to providing students with a comfortable learning environment. He said the investment will address critical infrastructure needs while allowing more local dollars to remain focused on the classroom.
Lillard said the program helps ensure that Tennessee students attend schools that are safe, modern and properly maintained.