Moving forward… City school board seeks funding for T.A. Dugger renovations
Published 11:44 pm Wednesday, January 22, 2020
1 of 2
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Harold McCormick Principal Eric Wampler gives the board an update on the exciting things taking place at the school.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton High School principal Jon Minton along with the Elizabethton City School Board recognized those that provided coverage and the support staff of Elizabethton High School athletic events either via PA or over the air.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
The Elizabethton City School Board voted unanimously on Tuesday during their regularly scheduled January meeting to authorize Director of Schools Dr. Corey Gardenhour to draft a resolution to be signed by board chairman Rita Booher and to be sent to the Elizabethton City Council in a move to get renovations underway at T.A. Dugger Jr. High.
The resolution seeks to refinance school bonds and to use the proceeds from the half-cent sales tax in an amount not to exceed 1.2 million dollars for the renovation projects at the school.
By sending the resolution, the school board is seeking the City Council to place the resolution on the February docket to be voted on.
Most of the renovations revolve around replacement of the shingles on the roof of the school which according to a report prepared for Thomas Weems Architects indicate that the roof has reached the end of its intended service life cycle.
Other portions of the roof that covers other areas of the school is also in need of repair and or replacement.
According to the report, 75 to 80 percent of the mineral granules have weathered and washed off leaving the fiberglass mat exposed as well as several areas having missing shingles that have blown off.
The breakdown of the probable cost for all roof repair was broken down as follows:
Classroom and gym: $276,825
Kitchen: $72,105
Crows Nest/Weight Room: $115,390
Public Restrooms / Concessions: $16,550
Band: $16,100
Media Center: $21,680
Vocational: $29,580
Maintenance: $25,600
Construction Cost Subtotal: $573,830
Contingency (10.0%): $57,383
Total Construction Cost: $631,213
A/E Service Fees (6.5%): $45,000
Reimbursable Exp.: $5,000
Roof Replacement Cost Total: $681,213
Also, the school will be looking to demo the current restrooms and add newly constructed restrooms along with a handicapped restroom on the first floor of the school.
The total probable construction cost of the restroom demo and build will total $385,000 bringing the total renovation cost to $1,066,213.
Also, during the meeting Elizabethton High School principal Jon Minton recognized the Elizabethton High School sports announcers and technical staff for their support of Cyclone athletics.
Those present included Jason Holly, Tom Taylor, Tony Briggs, Stacy Street, Ryan Presnell, Richard VanHuss, Nic Miller, Kelly Buckles, and Tommy Tipton.
Principal Eric Wampler of Harold McCormick Elementary gave an update on all the exciting happens going on at his school as well.
The board also met before the beginning of the meeting for a 2020-2021 budget workshop.
Budget requests for system-wide priority presented by Dr. Gardenhour included $40,000 for the purchase of band instruments, $5,000 for the EHS Choral Department, an increase in athletic supplements in the estimated amount of $20,000, and an hourly rate increase for cooks and custodians in the estimated amount of $35,000.
Individual school priority budget requests were also presented.
Mr. Chris Berry, Principal at T.A. Dugger Jr. High requested the replacement of three outdated water fountains at an estimated cost of $2,700.
Elizabethton High School principal Jon Minton placed requests for funding of an ROTC Instructor in the amount of $55,000, intercom upgrades in the amount of $2,500 and have it added to the Maintenance Department schedule, and was joined by Mr. Brian Culbert, CTE Director, in requesting a welding instructor and welding equipment in the estimated amount of $180,000.
Minton added that in regard to the welding request that he and Culbert are working to secure grant funding in the amount of $125,000.
Mr. John Hutchins, Transportation Supervisor, requested an increase to the bus maintenance and repair budget in an estimated amount of $5,000.
Dr. Myra Newman, Deputy Director of Schools, requested that Professional Development/Contracted Services to help with the implementation of the ELA Curriculum. The estimated amount requested was $30,000.
There will be one more workshop before the final budget is finalized.
