County won’t fund school projects, for now: Commissioners postpone vote till later date
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“As the school system’s maintenance director, I can tell you these projects are good and are needed,” said Commissioner Donnie Caldwell. “I’m for this bill but there are also lots of other issues that we need to address, like a new school at Centertown.”
The motion, tabled on a 13-10 vote, would have provided $1.2 million for the complete renovation of Nunley Stadium and the middle school auditorium, both of which are in desperate need of repair, as well as the construction of a multi-sport fieldhouse at the high school.
Commissioner Bill Zechman, the motion’s sponsor, argued the projects are ones that should have been undertaken by the commission years ago.
“We’ve put this off too long,” Zechman said. “The condition of the stadium and the auditorium is somewhere between dismal and abysmal. I’m concerned about the lesson we’re teaching our children. We’re basically giving them the message that pretty bad is OK because that’s what the county’s leaders want you to have.”
In making their argument for the passage of the capital outlay note, Zechman, commissioner George Smartt and others noted that now is the most opportune time to approve such a note as interest rates are at all-time lows (but are now beginning to rise, Commissioner Ken Martin noted).
Construction costs are also down, and the county’s fund balance is such that the projects could be done without a tax increase with money to spare.
Critics of the bill noted that it is because of the current interest rates and low building costs that other projects need to be addressed as well.
Said commissioner Gary Prater, “I’m all for fixing the stadium and all for renovating the middle school auditorium. I can’t say I’m all that crazy about the fieldhouse, but I’m not against it. I just feel that we maybe need to look at other things too and see what’s on the top of the list. I recently found out three schools need new roofs and of course I’d like to see a new school at Centertown. I think we need to put all of these needs together on one big capital outlay note.”
Noting this argument Zechman said, “If this is a sincere attempt to fund and address the school system’s needs instead of the usual obstructionist tactics, I think it is a good idea, but we’ll find out before too long. The moment of truth is soon.”
At the commission’s request, the school board will meet in special session at 7 p.m. Monday night at the county administrative building to present a prioritized list of capital project requests.
A special session of the commission to discuss and vote on that project list could follow at 8 p.m. if Zechman and others are able to garner the support of 13 commissioners whose support is necessary to override County Executive Kenneth Rogers’ refusal to call a special meeting Monday.