Property and a reaffirmation of support for T.A. Dugger Junior High School renovations highlighted the agenda Tuesday evening for the Elizabethton City Schools Board of Education.
Members convened to approve a pair of property-related items, including a property license agreement between Georgetta Robinson and the school system.
Robinson has unoccupied residential property located at 811 Watauga Ave. – near the school system’s main office.
Director of Schools Dr. Corey Gardenhour added the agreement will allow the construction of 10 parking spaces at the lot to assist with individuals coming to the office either for training or to attend board meetings. Dr. Gardenhour added the school system would maintain the lawn care of the property used. The agreement will go before the City Planning Commission before further action is taken, according to the director.
The BOE also voted, unanimously, to approve a purchase in the amount of $85,000 for land adjoining Harold McCormick Elementary School to be executed by the BOE Executive Committee.
Dr. Gardenhour stated the property owner, a former school system student, offered the property to assist with growth at Harold McCormick.
After shuffling through the property portion of the meeting, the BOE voted to approve a resolution, by the officials, to show their support for the City of Elizabethton’s consideration for renovations at T.A. Dugger.
“This resolution is just in support of the renovations,” Dr. Gardenhour said while praising the City Council’s move to hold off on refinancing bonds while the school works at fixing the half-cent sales tax bond.
“(It) just felt like that was a great show of leadership,” the director said. “By Mayor (Curt) Alexander and the rest of the City Council.”
BOE member Dr. Grover May followed up the sentiments of the director, adding the partnership with the City Council to assist with the school system is stronger than it has ever been and that they’ve “shown a desire to do what’s best” for the schools and children.
Vice chair Rita Booher recalled when the school system was able to get the half-cent sales tax in place and added her own praise for the City Council’s effort.
The resolution passed, unanimously, following the addition of the words “science labs” to be included on the document. Dr. Gardenhour added he would present the document to City Manager Jerome Kitchens during Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony for elected City Council and city BOE members.
In other business, the BOE:
• Approved the creation of a full time position for public relation services and grant writer to replace the contracted services in place.
• Approved SaaS hosted software license and association agreements.
• Ratified approval of emergency purchase order issued to TRANE for repairs to eight electric/gas rooftop units.
• Recognized Elizabethton High School golfers Chris Schaff and Bailey Montgomery.
• Heard from Scott Whitmire with the East Tennessee Overmountain Cadets about bringing the program into the school system, West Side principal John Wright on the progress at the school and Dr. Myra Newman on a social studies curriculum update.