Oak Ridge City Council approved a resolution to provide up to $80,000 in funding assistance to Oak Ridge Schools for replacement of a portable classroom at Woodland Elementary School.

Miss Bates (city staff) told council that the school system has $300,000 in capital appropriations available and requested city assistance of up to $80,000 to complete replacement of the portable unit, which suffered a water-related failure. Staff noted the portable classroom is scheduled for installation within about 10–12 weeks.

Councilmember Chuck Hope said the building is beyond its expected service life and has been used only in a limited manner for safety reasons; replacing the unit would provide Woodland with three classrooms plus some office space and relieve pressure on the school’s classroom inventory.

During committee discussion Council members expressed concern about continued reliance on portable classroom units rather than investing in permanent additions. Miss Bates said the request before council was specifically for the portable replacement and that the school district and school board are best positioned to address long-term capital planning.

The resolution passed 6–0.