Blount County school board approves multi‑million dollar capital projects and budget adjustments
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Summary
The Blount County Board of Education approved several budget increases and capital projects — including a $2.625 million roof replacement at Heritage Middle School, a $71,500 parking-lot replacement and a $29,000 vehicle purchase — and contracted a feasibility study for a new elementary school.
The Blount County Board of Education on Wednesday approved a string of budget adjustments and capital projects, approving a $2,625,300 roof replacement at Heritage Middle School and other facility and program expenditures.
Board members moved through routine business by voice vote, approving a $71,500 debt-funded full parking-lot replacement at Wheatonwood High School, a $9,800 chain-link fence for the Porter Elementary pre‑K playground and a $29,000 purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox for the Banner Resource Center. The board also approved a $336,976.78 increase for the state‑approved special education preschool grant and a $464,300 increase for occupational and physical therapy services to support students placed in residential care.
The most costly single item was bid number 2026-0016: a full roof replacement at Heritage Middle School funded from Education Capital (fund 177) for $2,625,300. The motion to approve the bid passed after the public-motion process; the board recorded the approvals by voice vote.
The board also approved contracting with Lewis Creek Architects for a feasibility and site analysis of county school property, not to exceed $71,472, to study whether to build a new Walnut Elementary School. Officials described the study as a preliminary step to evaluate sites and costs rather than an authorization to build.
When asked about recurring costs for special-education services, staff member Britney explained that federal funding levels fell this year and local funds must make up the difference. “Last year was a little bit of an oddity because generally local does cover this,” she said, adding that the district typically budgets based on the prior year’s federal allocation.
What happens next: the approved contracts and capital projects will proceed to the procurement and contracting phase; the feasibility study will return to the board with findings before any decision to construct a new school.
Votes and procedure: Most items were approved by motion, second and voice vote during the meeting; the agenda was amended at the start to correct a fund number and move one item to the executive committee.