The Mathews County Board of Supervisors decided to hold off on making a decision on whether to replace or repair a failing chiller at Mathews High School during its meeting last Thursday night in the historic courthouse.

Board members said it would be better to wait to make the expenditure until the next budget cycle, when the weather begins warming up again.

At its meeting earlier this month, the Mathews County School Board requested $111,950 in emergency funding to replace one of the two chiller units at Mathews High School.

The unit, which provides air conditioning for the building, has taken a turn for the worse, resulting in more than $35,000 in repair bills over the past few months. The chiller is 12-13 years old, which school maintenance supervisor Donnie Hall said is the typical lifespan of such equipment.

Supervisor Edwina Casey asked how the failed unit would impact heating of the school since cold weather is quickly approaching. Hall said the chiller unit does not ...