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Jackson County boards review multi‑school construction plans as middle‑school grant deadline looms
Summary
County and school board presenters reviewed budgets, bids and phasing for Smoky Mountain Middle School (a $52M state grant with an $8M local match), Smoky Mountain High track, Blue Ridge and Fairview projects and a proposed bus garage; no formal votes were taken.
Jackson County commissioners and the Jackson County Public Schools board met in a joint informational session to review the status, budgets and schedules for multiple school construction projects, including the Smoky Mountain Middle School, Smoky Mountain High School track and field complex, Blue Ridge campus improvements, Fairview Elementary cafeteria and a proposed replacement bus garage.
Dr. Ayers, a lead presenter, opened by emphasizing the meeting was for information only: "We're not taking action tonight," he said, and asked architects and construction managers to present all project materials before questions. County staff and school leaders outlined projected funding sources and current project phases.
Darlene Fox provided a budget overview for the campus projects, saying Blue Ridge improvements are budgeted at $15,200,000 (about $15,000,000 from debt and $200,000 from sales tax), Fairview at $4,200,000 ($4,000,000 debt, $200,000 sales tax), and the bus garage at $2,000,000 from debt.…
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