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Blount County board approves multiple budget increases and capital projects including Heritage Middle roof
Summary
The Blount County Board of Education approved a series of budget adjustments and capital projects, including a $2.625 million full roof replacement at Heritage Middle School, parking-lot work at Weenewind High, playground fencing, special-education service funding increases and a feasibility study contract for a possible new elementary school.
The Blount County Board of Education voted to approve several budget increases and capital projects during its regular meeting.
Board members approved a full roof replacement at Heritage Middle School, awarding bid 2026-0016 and authorizing a budget increase of $2,625,300 from the Education Capital fund (fund 177). The board also approved a full-depth replacement for a parking lot at Weenewind High School for $71,500, and a $9,800 budget increase to install a chain-link fence around the Porter Elementary pre-K playground.
The board approved an increase of $336,976.78 for a state-approved special-education preschool grant and a $464,300 increase to fund occupational and physical therapy services and educational services for students placed in residential care. During discussion, staff explained the occupational/therapy line is ordinarily a recurring local expense and that reduced federal funding this year required increased local funding.
The board authorized the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox for the Banner Resource Center for $29,000. The board also approved contracting with Lewis Creek Architects for up to $71,472 to perform a feasibility and site analysis of a county-owned school property with the intent to explore construction of a new elementary school (identified in the agenda as a prospective "Qualit" Elementary School; site under review).
Most approvals were made after motions and second and were recorded by the chair as passing with voice vote (ayes). The meeting transcript records general vocal approval ("Aye") for each motion; a roll-call list of seven board members available in the transcript is: Randy Early Howard, Brian King, Joe Lindsey, John Lowe, Erica Moore, Chris Pass and Phil Porter.
Why it matters: The approved capital projects and budget changes affect building safety and instructional support (special education services), and include long-term investments such as a full roof replacement and a feasibility study for an additional elementary facility.
What remains unclear: The transcript includes motions and vocal approvals but does not record detailed roll-call tallies for each item beyond repeated "Aye" confirmations; mover/second names are not specified in the record provided.
