BAY MINETTE, Ala. – For the past two summers, it was essentially up to one man to handle the upkeep of Baldwin County High School. Friday, he had the assistance of about two dozen teachers, coaches, administrators and volunteers during a community clean up day.

The work crew hit the grounds running, tackling a host of projects all around the outside of the campus. Bushes and hedges were trimmed and shaped. Crossties that made up old planters were removed. Roadways were edged to remove grass and soil that in places had narrowed the pathways by several feet. Crews even worked to clear out the brush and tangled vegetation around the pavilion and walkway behind the school. Fences were repaired. And there was a near constant hum and whine of small engines as an army of string trimmers, edgers and hedge trimmers attacked the campus.

“This was very much needed,” said BCHS assistant principal Phillip Stewart. “Over the last few years, we went from nine maintenance people to just four. Most of the summer has been used getting the inside ready for school to start. The county has come by and cut the grass outside but that’s about all that has been done on the outside.”

 And time is running out. There is just one month before school resumes. Teachers return for professional development on Aug. 12. Students will arrive one week later as classes star on Aug. 19.

“We could spend every Friday out here working from now until school starts, there is that much to do,” said Stewart. “It’s really nice to see the community come out like this to support us.”

BCHS principal John Cabaniss said the volunteer cleanup came at the right time.

“Funds are tight across the school system, not just here,” said Cabaniss. “It was nice to see the community come together. These are folks who have ties to the school. Some have kids going here. Others want to help because they went to school here.

“For the last two summers, Robert Brown was all by himself all summer trying to take care of the school grounds. I know he appreciates all these folks helping.”

While the volunteers were busy on the grounds, a work crew was high above pressure washing the roof of the school as part of a re-roofing project. According to Cabaniss, a new slanted roof will be placed over the existing flat roof, starting this week. The work is slated to be done before the students return.