Board tables Heritage High auditorium renovation funding until state comptroller confirms use of Fund 177

The Blount County Board of Education tabled a motion to authorize the use of Fund 177 for phase 1 of the Heritage High School auditorium renovation while staff await guidance from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office on whether the planned expenditure qualifies as capital renovation.

Board members said the funds are available but the county commission cannot act on the transfer until the comptroller’s office confirms the accounting treatment. A board member explained: "Because we're asking for these funds to be taken from Fund 177, we need their clarification and approval that those funds can indeed be done so," and asked the board to table the matter pending that response.

Nut Graf: The board paused the project’s funding authorization to avoid moving forward with a county commission request that might later be rejected by the state comptroller; board members emphasized they intend to proceed once the comptroller and county commission approvals are secured.

Board members stated they are "very confident" the funding can be used but that the procedural step is necessary. The board approved an amended motion to table consideration until the district receives the state comptroller’s response.

Ending: Staff will seek the comptroller’s written clarification and then return to the board and county commission for final approval before any Fund 177 transfer occurs.