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White County to renovate high‑school chemistry lab; science chair secures $25,000 TVA grant, Perkins funds cover Ag equipment
Summary
Board packet described a full chemistry lab renovation at White County High School to replace original fixtures; science chair Wesley Martin secured a $25,000 TVA learning environment grant for a fume hood. Separately, a Perkins grant of $11,589.68 will buy agricultural equipment including a chicken tractor.
The White County Board of Education reviewed maintenance and grant updates May 8 that included plans to renovate the chemistry lab at White County High School and end‑of‑year purchases funded by a Perkins CTE grant.
Maintenance director and school leaders described the chemistry lab project as a full renovation: replacement of tables and workstations, flushing and repairing gas and water plumbing, new cabinetry, flooring and walls. Science chair Wesley Martin secured a Tennessee Valley Authority learning environment grant for $25,000 that the board said will help purchase a fume hood needed for the renovation.
Why it matters: The lab renovation modernizes instructional space for science courses and supports student safety and upgraded equipment. The TVA grant covers a material component of the lab work; the district indicated construction will begin once school releases for summer.
Separately, the board’s finance staff described an end‑of‑year Perkins CTE allocation of $11,589.68 (Federal Fund 142, Sub Fund 801) to purchase agricultural equipment for the Ag Department. At the meeting Director Drombarger and staff later clarified that that Perkins money will be used to buy a chicken tractor (a mobile chicken coop) and other items to support production of meat birds.
Board discussion included clarification that the Perkins purchase and TVA grant are standard end‑of‑year reallocation of federal funds and that the district is moving funds between line items to close grant activity by June 30. Trustees asked for and received further detail about the Ag purchase when the director provided it during the work session.
Work timeline and next steps: The chemistry lab work is scheduled to begin when school releases for summer; the fume hood purchase is tied to that renovation. Perkins‑funded purchases will be completed as part of the grant close‑out and inventory process.
