Carter County schools report mixed progress on FEMA projects; insurance recoveries lag statewide
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Summary
District staff said many FEMA projects are pending or obligated and listed specific project amounts; a public insurance adjuster is working claims but staff said claim settlements through Tennessee Risk Management Trust are slow.
District staff provided an update on FEMA disaster projects and insurance recovery efforts, describing a mix of pending and obligated awards and reporting delays from the district’s insurer.
Dr. Carpenter summarized project statuses across several schools, saying some are obligated while others remain in pending project development. "That elementary, and high school was a group together. There was some damage, roof damage, and other things. That is right now pending project development," Dr. Carpenter said while reviewing the list of projects.
Examples named in the meeting record include: - King Merv Elementary: estimated damage $9,000 (reported as an estimate; repairs not yet completed). - Happy Valley High School: $468,000 (described as pending). - Old bus garage: pending award, listed at $527,084. - Temporary school purchases (buses and vans): pending scope and cost development; a $101,430 amount previously associated with a temporary purchase was described as audited and will flow to the state.
Dr. Carpenter also briefed the board on the district’s work with a public insurance adjuster, identified as Neil. "Neil has had honestly done a terrific job," Dr. Carpenter said, adding that Neil has compiled thousands of photos and has been working directly with the insurance company.
Board members and staff described a statewide slow pace in settling claims through the Tennessee Risk Management Trust. "Everybody in Tennessee right now is having a really hard time getting... reimbursed paid for," Dr. Carpenter said, summarizing the adjuster’s reporting. The transcript shows district staff and nearby counties are experiencing delays in receiving insurance payments for damaged vehicles and facilities.
Separately, Mark Grama told the board a bid is out for an exhaust system at CTech; bids will be opened and presented later. "We have a bid that's out for thought system at CTech, and we'll open those without bringing those back," Mark Grama said.
Dr. Carpenter said the district has also applied for building grants for an expansion at Hampton Elementary and a second expansion project (the meeting excerpt did not name the second school). Staff said both projects have been submitted to FEMA and that one project was viewed as having a particularly good chance of moving forward, though no award was confirmed in the excerpt.
Staff promised a fuller, up‑to‑date report for the board, noting that some reimbursements are moving from FEMA to insurance and that additional information could arrive within days.