Vicki Neave said some of the oldest buildings were constructed in the early 1950s.
While a five-year funding system provided by the Government was designed to help the school plan for upgrades and modernise or replace existing buildings, the amount allocated to the Clinton trustees was not enough, Mrs Neave said.
The school was struggling to find enough money to keep up with the ongoing maintenance, ''let alone moving towards more modern learning environments''.
''Because there hasn't been a lot of money spent on the school for a very long time, all of a sudden you've got wiring that is self-destructing and pipes that are bursting.''
Some of the plumbing pre-dated the buildings, she said.
Clinton was ''very cold in the winter'' and the school struggled to keep classrooms warm without proper insulation.
''We're in the process of putting insulation in the ceiling now just to make the classrooms a bit more warmer so it's more pleasant for the children.''
The principal met Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay to discuss the situation and Mr Barclay said he would look into the situation, talk to his government colleagues about it and investigate avenues for the school to get more funding.
''They're doing a lot and there's more that they want to do.''
He said Mrs Neave was a proactive principal who was committed to ensuring the best possible learning for the children, but it was clear the school faced some challenges with its school property.
