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Votes at a glance: Blount County Board approves multiple budget increases and policies
Summary
At its August meeting the Blount County Board of Education approved a series of budget increases, equipment purchases and a new student board member policy; one contingency request was amended after staff discussion of an immediate change-order need.
The Blount County Board of Education approved a series of budget increases and purchases at its August meeting, including technology, building projects, equipment, teacher bonuses and policy changes. Most items passed by roll-call vote; one contingency request was amended after a staff presentation describing an imminent construction change order.
Highlights
- Chromebooks: The board approved a $600,000 budget increase from Fund 141 to purchase Chromebooks for first, fifth and ninth grades. The motion passed by roll call.
- Contingency funds (Fund 177): The board initially considered a $300,000 contingency request for 2025–26 education capital projects. Maintenance director James Dukes described a state fire marshal–requested smoke-damper change order at the William Blount CTE project that alone could cost about $89,000 and stop work if not funded. After discussion and a proposed amendment, the board approved a reduced contingency of $125,000 (final amended amount recorded in the roll call). The board noted unused contingency would revert to the Fund 177 balance at year end.
- Architect fees: The board approved a $300,000 increase to cover architect fees for multiple planned projects (Fund 177).
- Maintenance truck: The board approved $45,264 from Fund 177 to purchase a new maintenance utility bed truck; staff said the purchase is part of a vehicle-replacement cascade that removes a 2006 fuel truck with about 208,000 miles from service.
- Gym floors: The board approved $437,992 from Fund 177 for gym floor projects at Fairview and Friendsville, to be completed under a county multiyear contract held by the vendor cited in the packet.
- HVAC replacements: The board approved $550,000 from Fund 177 for HVAC replacements across district locations and a separate $709,078 for HVAC control systems at Carpenters Middle School and William Blount Ninth Grade Academy (Fund 177).
- Teacher bonuses: The board approved a $1,818,407.60 budget increase in Fund 141 to distribute state incentive teacher bonuses; the board said county government has received those funds and they are ready for dispersal.
- Eagleton College & Career fire alarm: The board approved $419,979.63 from Fund 177 to replace an antiquated, nuisance-prone fire alarm panel at Eagleton College & Career Academy; staff said the existing panel is over 20 years old and parts are scarce.
- William Blount culinary equipment: The board approved $200,000 from Fund 177 for culinary equipment tied to career and technical education facilities.
- Budget transfer for maintenance: The board approved a $200,000 transfer from other charges to continued maintenance in Fund 141.
- Student board member policy: The board approved a new policy (1.1021) to authorize a student board member, with terms running September through May and selection handled by the high school principal; the board waived the second reading and approved the policy.
Many motions were handled by roll call and recorded as passed. The meeting packet supplied to board members contained additional vendor and contract details; the board did not discuss contract terms or vendor selection details for several line items in public comment.
