City school board approves new seats at Citizens Bank Stadium
Published 2:11 pm Friday, February 17, 2023
- Star Photo/Delaney Scalf The Elizabethton City School Board met Monday and approved a bid made by SturdiSteel to complete the construction of an aluminum bleacher section at Citizens Bank Stadium at a cost of $74,950.
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BY ROBERT SORRELL
Star Correspondent
The Elizabethton City Schools will add about 200 seats to the Citizens Bank Stadium following a school board vote this week.
The school board met Monday and approved a bid made by SturdiSteel to complete the construction of an aluminum bleacher section at the stadium at a cost of $74,950.
Director of Schools Richard VanHuss said the new section will be added next to the current band stand. As a result of the new seating section, VanHuss said the current handicap ramp will be moved to the other side of the band stand.
VanHuss said he expects the new seating will enhance student participation in events.
SturdiSteel previously installed bleachers at the stadium and expects to complete work before fall football season, VanHuss said.
In addition, the director said he expects the school will sell an additional 250 season passes to help cover the costs of the construction project.
The board also approved a bid made by United Elevator Services LLC to replace elevator controls at T.A. Dugger Junior High School. The company’s bid of $82,000 is necessary to make the elevator usable again, the director said.
Currently, people at the school are unable to use the elevator due to inoperable controls. He said the elevator is needed for students, staff, and visitors that cannot use the stairs to access the second floor.
Board members approved to award a bid made by Mid-South Bus Center in the amount of $129,653 for one 42-passenger school bus. VanHuss said the Thomas brand school bus is capable of maneuvering through some of Elizabethton’s more challenging streets. The district provides “door-to-door” transportation for students, he noted.
The board also unanimously approved an offer made by JUUL Labs Inc. to settle litigation filed against the company. The board authorized the executive committee to execute the release of claims against JUUL and further to execute the release of claims against other defendants if such settlements are recommended by counsel.
Thousands of defendants, including states, school districts, and municipalities across the country previously filed suit against the electronic-cigarette company. The defendants have claimed that JUUL lured minors into vaping.
Late last year, JUUL was ordered to pay nearly $440 million to settle a lawsuit filed by nearly three dozen states, including Tennessee. An investigation found the company deliberately targeted young people through marketing campaigns.
VanHuss said the settlement gives the school district an opportunity to recoup money that had been spent to fight against vaping.
