Director reports: FEMA grant pending, teacher bonuses, construction updates, Project RAISE award and E-Rate funding
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Summary
Director of Schools Brandon Carpenter updated the Carter County Board on a pending FEMA obligation for Hanson High School, teacher bonuses to be paid in September, multiple construction projects, a Project RAISE district award, camera upgrades and an $869,000 E-Rate category 2 award over five years.
Director of Schools Dr. Brandon Carpenter told the Carter County Board of Education the district expects a FEMA grant obligation soon for Hanson High School repairs, that teacher and parent-professional bonuses will be paid in September, and that several construction and technology projects are progressing.
"The money has to be obligated before we do anything as far as any of the big projects," Carpenter said of the FEMA grant process. He added district officials had contacted state and congressional offices to try to speed the FEMA obligation and said staff expect the next steps to be completed soon.
Carpenter said the district plans teacher bonuses in September and that the board previously approved bonuses for parent-professionals. He reported ongoing construction work at Happy Valley Middle School, Hampton Elementary (cooling tower and asbestos inspections) and Hunter (a building addition and paving), noting progress but also weather-related delays on outdoor field work.
The board heard that the district was selected as Project RAISE District of the Year for Tennessee and will be recognized in Chattanooga in July. Carpenter said the program supports apprenticeships in social work, counseling and school psychology; he noted district staff and partners have used the program to help employees pursue advanced credentials while working, and several district social workers and psychologists have been involved.
On technology, staff reported progress on camera-system wiring and said most wiring at Hunter and Unaika high school sites is complete. The district qualified for 85/15 E-Rate funding and was awarded $869,000 over five years for Category 2 (hardware such as wireless access points). Carpenter said the district also received $92,000 for new switches districtwide, and that wired and wireless upgrades are scheduled before the next school year.
Carpenter also said the district is in early discussions about possible solar energy projects intended to reduce recurring energy costs; he said the work remains in an exploratory phase and more information will be presented later.
Why it matters: the FEMA obligation will unlock larger repair projects; E-Rate and other technology awards fund infrastructure upgrades that school operations rely on; and Project RAISE affects staffing pipelines for counseling and psychology services.
What’s next: staff will monitor the FEMA obligation, continue construction and technology rollouts, and return to the board with program or budget proposals for any new initiatives such as solar.