After flood disruptions, Buchanan County school board approves extended-day calendar, construction credit and facility repairs

The Buchanan County Public Schools board met following a Southern Gap High School groundbreaking and took a series of operational actions related to flooding disruptions, construction finance and facilities repairs.

Board members certified an executive session for student‑personnel and legal advice, then approved a motion described in closed session as a building‑package change (referred to in the meeting as "change order number 2") that speakers characterized as yielding a net credit of just under $9,700,000 and producing estimated tax savings to the district of about $550,000. The motion was moved and seconded and reported as approved by roll call during the meeting.

The board also addressed a parcel the district had previously deeded to county supervisors and considered a motion expressing that the school system "is not in favor" of placing a cell tower at that location near Twin Valley Elementary. After discussion about the district’s authority (members noted the land had been deeded), the board recorded a vote and the motion was reported as passing; the transcript records some verbal confusion during the count.

Administration provided an enrollment update showing 2,206 students (up from 2,204) and presented three options for making up lost instructional time after February flooding. Option 1 would shift spring break and end the school year June 3 with a stated instructional total of 996 hours; option 2 would keep spring break and extend the school day to 3:30 with a new last day of May 30; option 3 would not add time and would end June 9. After discussion about custodial staffing and transportation, the board approved option 2 — extending the school day to 3:30 with an in‑person return planned for March 10.

The board ratified an earlier phone poll hiring action for a substitute nurse and approved the immediate hiring of Pamela Charles as a behavior interventionist. Members also approved a motion to repair the Riverview cafeteria floor, citing health‑department sanitation concerns.

Board members asked administration to inspect storm damage near Grundy High School and agreed to provide clearer budget reporting that separates construction funds from operating funds; the board set a future meeting date and thanked staff, school employees and volunteers for emergency efforts during the flooding.

Officials did not announce a final opening date for the new Southern Gap High School during the session; administrators said they will publish construction and scheduling updates when available.