There were several interesting items on the agenda. One was a controversial lease for a new soccer field at Brickey Elementary School. The lease would have given exclusive use for the field from 6-9:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri. The lease would have given the organization unlimited use of utilities and water. In a time when the School district says it is so close on their budget, why would you so a lease like that. With a lease like that, someone could accidentally leave a water hose running on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. and it could run all weekend and then the taxpayers would have to pay the bill. New School Board Member Rex Stooksbury asked for a 30 day delay. That was a wise decision on School Board Member Stooksbury’s part. He is an excellent addition to the School Board representing the communities of Powell and Halls.
The board voted to continue building the Hardin Valley High School for 2100 students. The project currently costing $50.0 million. $40.0 million from Knox County Commission, $4.0 million from Knox County Schools for a geo-thermal heat system. The School Board has requested an additional $6.0 million from the County Commission. The County Commission has requested and is waiting for a priority list of school projects from the School Board.
Brian’s Blog has taken the public position that the project needs to be built for 1800-2000 students. However, the board should be required to bring the project within the $44.0 million dollar budget. The County Mayor and Commission said a $40.0 million dollar High School. The County Mayor and Commission have fully funded the past 4 years of the Schools Capital Plan budgets, given a $40.0 million dollar High School over and above the 4 years of Capital Plan budgets. The County Mayor and Commission fully funded this years General Purpose Budget. Several School Board Members and Commissioner’s have reported to Brian’s Blog that the cut should be made to the multi sport fieldhouse and other non-essential portions of the High School. Today, Bearden High School does not have a sports Field House of any kind. Farragut High School’s football boosters built their football field house, two years ago.
In Claiborne County, TN a few years ago the Claiborne County School Board built two high schools at the same time and brought them on line, on time and under budget. So, it can be done in the post 9/11 era.
