Blount County board elects 2025–26 officers, approves HVAC and budget transfers

Chris Pass was elected chair of the Blount County Board of Education for the 2025–26 term, and the board approved several budget measures affecting school facilities and career-technical education at its Sept. 1 meeting.

The board confirmed Pass as chair by roll call and also elected Randy Early Howard as vice chair, John Lowe as parliamentarian and Phil Porter as the district’s representative to the Tennessee School Boards Association legislative network. Each election was approved by the board during roll-call votes.

The board then approved agenda items involving facility and capital spending. The board approved a budget increase of $377,975 from Fund 177 (Education Capital) for Bid 2026-1, Eagleton College and Career Academy’s HVAC replacement. The board also approved a $175,000 budget increase to construction contingency from Fund 177 and a separate $100,000 budget transfer for continued maintenance (fund code referenced in the meeting as fund 141 / 01/1941).

Separately, the board approved a $305,185.50 budget transfer from Fund 141 (Education Capital) to purchase furniture for the William Blount High School CTE phase 2 space; staff said the funds are for new furniture for the new facility. The board approved a proposal to begin a driver’s education program that would seek donated vehicles, pay instructors for summer sessions to expand seat availability, and permit school staff to administer driving and written tests at the school to reduce student and parent wait times at the DMV.

All of the above measures were approved by the board during either voice votes or roll-call votes called by the board clerk. Where the meeting used a roll call, board members who spoke on the record and answered yes included Randy Early Howard, Brian King, John Lowe, Erica Moore, Chris Pass and Bill Porter. In several items the board used a voice vote and recorded “aye” to approve.

Why it matters: The approvals authorize capital improvements at Eagleton and William Blount High School and create a path for an in-district driver’s education offering intended to lower costs for families and streamline state testing logistics. The officer elections set leadership for board deliberations and policy through the next school year.

Votes at a glance • Election — Chair: Chris Pass — approved by roll call. • Election — Vice chair: Randy Early Howard — approved by roll call. • Election — Parliamentarian: John Lowe — approved by roll call. • Election — Tennessee Legislative Network representative: Phil Porter — approved by roll call. • Bid 2026-1, Eagleton HVAC replacement — budget increase $377,975 (Fund 177 Education Capital) — approved (voice vote). • Construction contingency increase — $175,000 (Fund 177) — approved (voice vote). • Budget transfer for continued maintenance — $100,000 (fund referenced as 141 / 01/1941) — approved (roll call recorded “yes” from multiple members). • William Blount High School CTE phase 2 furniture — $305,185.50 (Fund 141 Education Capital) — approved (roll call). • Driver’s education program — motion to pursue program and potential donated vehicles; authorize plan including school-based DMV testing and summer instructor pay — approved (roll call).

Discussion vs. decision: Board discussion on the HVAC and contingency items was brief; the meeting record shows motions, seconds and recorded approvals. Staff clarified the CTE furniture request is for a new facility’s furniture. On driver’s education, director Ridge and board members discussed seeking donated cars and paying teachers for summer instruction; the board authorized moving forward rather than adopting a detailed budget at the meeting.

Next steps: Staff will implement the approved budget transfers and proceed with procurement and program planning as authorized by the board; the meeting did not record specific implementation timelines for every item.