On paper, the Giles County High School project may have looked like a routine school renovation. In reality, it demanded extraordinary coordination, innovation, and execution.
Over 15 months, Lee Company overhauled 131,042 square feet of classroom and administrative space at Giles County High School in Pulaski, Tennessee, a central campus serving nine feeder schools. The work included 18,000 feet of new piping, a 500-ton cooling tower, condensing boilers, distributed HVAC upgrades, UV lighting for air quality, and a complete digital controls overhaul. And it all happened while students remained on campus.
This job wasn’t just about what we built. It was about how we built it: with care, trust, and a commitment to safety that led to zero incidents.
A High-Impact Campus With No Off Switch
Giles County High School is more than a single building, it’s a hub for the entire district. With nine feeder schools depending on this campus, extended shutdowns were not an option. From the start, the goals were clear:
- Modernize HVAC and piping across 131,042 square feet Improve comfort, reliability, and air quality
- Keep students on site and learning during construction
- Work within tight summer and testing windows
- Deliver on time with zero safety incidents
That meant every phase had to be carefully planned around the school calendar, from standardized testing to summer break and the daily class schedule.
The Mechanical Overhaul: From Piping to Controls
Under the hood, this project was a complete mechanical and controls transformation. Key scope elements included:
- 18,000 feet of new piping throughout the facility
- 500-ton cooling tower and three condensing boilers
- Five mechanical pumps and two VFD-driven condenser water and hot water pumps
- 27 vertical and 35 horizontal 4-pipe unit ventilators for distributed climate control
- Two rooftop packaged units and three semi-custom air handlers with energy recovery wheels
- Replacement of two domestic water heaters with acid neutralizers, plus circulation and expansion pumps
- 34 roof intake hoods, 10 exhaust fans, and one hot water expansion tank
- A full HVAC digital controls upgrade, including new wiring and specialty devices
- Vibration isolation, SMACNA-standard ductwork, insulation, and complete air and water balancing
- UV lighting was added for air purification, enhancing indoor air quality and supporting a healthier learning environment.
Working Around Students, Testing, and Summer Breaks
Renovating an occupied school is a different kind of challenge. Noise, access, and safety all have to be managed without disrupting learning. At Giles County High School, the team:
- Sequenced work around testing periods, summer windows, and daily schedules
- Coordinated shutdowns, tie-ins, and loud activities outside of class time whenever possible
- Maintained clear communication with school leadership and district partners
- Managed logistics and resources across state lines to keep materials and crews aligned
The result was a project that moved steadily forward while students continued to attend class on campus.
Safety, Coordination, and the LeeWay in Action
With students, staff, and contractors sharing the same campus, safety was non-negotiable. Strict protocols, daily coordination, and disciplined site management kept people protected and the job on track.
- By the end of the 15-month schedule, the project was:
- Delivered on time
- Completed with zero safety incidents
- Positioned as a strong reference point for future district work
For the school system, the renovation wasn’t just an upgrade to equipment — it was a long-term investment in reliability, air quality, and student comfort.
A Living Example of the LeeWay
The Giles County High School renovation is a clear picture of the LeeWay in action:
- Innovation in how systems were designed and integrated
- Collaboration across contractors, school leaders, and district partners
- Commitment to safety, schedule, and doing things the right way
What started as a high-stakes renovation became a model for how complex school projects can be delivered with care for the people inside the building and confidence in the systems behind the walls.
If your district is facing aging infrastructure, tight windows, or occupied-campus constraints, our team is ready to help you plan and execute upgrades that keep learning on track while you modernize for the future.
