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Jackson County outlines $52 million middle-school grant and campus upgrades, seeks community input
Summary
The Jackson County Board of Education reviewed a capital-priority list that includes a $52,000,000 grant for a new traditional middle school, a reduced-scope Fairview cafeteria/kitchen project, ADA and stadium upgrades at Smoky Mountain High, and Blue Ridge renovations; officials emphasized stakeholder-led design and community forums.
Speaker 1, speaking for the Jackson County Board of Education during a joint meeting, said the board’s top priorities include a new cafeteria and kitchen at Fairview and the construction of a new traditional middle school backed by a $52,000,000 grant. "We are moving toward the new traditional middle school," Speaker 1 said, adding that because of that project "we won't need classrooms in that project" at Fairview.
The board reviewed a ranked list that also includes ADA upgrades districtwide, stadium and athletic-field improvements at Smoky Mountain High School and renovations at Blue Ridge. Consultants and guests introduced early planning steps and recommended broad stakeholder engagement. A representative of the design team described a process that begins with teachers and maintenance staff, involves parents and community members, and includes student input during daytime sessions.
Why it matters: the extent and sequencing of these projects will affect where middle-school students are housed, which Fairview spaces are repurposed, and how athletic facilities are configured. Speaker 1 said the board wants a functional, accessible middle-school building that supports academics, arts and career-technical education rather than a "Taj Mahal" design.
Timelines and scope: consultants said schematic design commonly takes about four to six months. Construction time estimates varied by project type: a standalone gym could be six to 10 months, while a full middle school typically runs 18 to 20 months under normal conditions (faster builds have occurred under ideal conditions). Officials said some site work could begin early to accelerate schedules.
Community engagement and next steps: Speaker 1 said the district has engaged an architect and purchased property for the new middle school; staff will schedule community input sessions for Blue Ridge and Fairview, prioritizing student-day sessions followed by staff and evening community meetings. Consultants said they would return schematic designs to the committee and the board for approval before moving to construction.
