Board kicks off five-year facilities plan; members press to keep Mount Pleasant priorities and add land fund

The Maury County Board of Education on Dec. 16 opened discussion on updating its five-year facilities plan and preparing the district’s capital request to the county commission, with board members urging the retention of three Mount Pleasant schools on the priority list and asking staff to consider a dedicated land-acquisition fund.

Staff presented the district’s current five-year plan (approved last March) as an initial kickoff and said the board must approve a revised plan and corresponding capital request by March. Operations staff said the plan feeds the capital request and asked board members to submit any suggested changes in writing so staff can prepare alternatives for the next work session.

Board member Miss Dawson asked the board to reconsider the priority ranking for three Mount Pleasant schools given recent housing and development in the area. Board member Mister McGee urged adding land purchases to the five-year plan “because it ain’t getting cheaper, and they’re not making any more of it,” noting the district will need sites for future schools.

Operations staff said the district previously requested a $4,000,000 maintenance fund in last year’s capital request and received $1,000,000; the district also proposed a land-purchasing fund that was not funded. Staff indicated both maintenance and land-acquisition items can be added to the capital request this year.

Chair asked members to email written feedback to staff and said the board will continue the discussion at the next work session in January so staff can bring maps and cost estimates for review.

The five-year facilities plan discussion will return to a future meeting with staff-provided alternatives and any requested edits from board members.