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School official asks county to fund therapeutic playground for Transition Academy from opioid settlement
Summary
Hamblen County Schools asked the finance committee for $40,000 in opioid-settlement funds to buy therapeutic playground equipment for a K'5 Transition Academy; the finance committee approved the request and commissioners noted roughly $200,000 in annual abatement receipts.
Jamie Green, assistant superintendent for Hamblen County Schools, told the Finance Committee that the district opened a Transition Academy to serve elementary students with behavioral challenges and asked the county to provide therapeutic play equipment purchased with opioid-settlement funds. "It's a $40,000 application which would pay for all the equipment and any site management that might need to happen to make this a reality for kids," Green said, describing the playground as part of the center's therapeutic regimen to teach cooperation and social skills.
Green said the Transition Academy is already operating at the Miller Boyd Alternative School campus and that the request would pay only for one-time equipment costs; staffing had already been funded by the district's grant. Commissioners asked whether the program runs during school hours (Green: yes) and whether additional staff would be required for the playground (Green: no).
Finance director Amanda Hail said the county receives roughly $200,000 in opioid abatement funds annually, distributed quarterly, and that the finance committee now handles near-term opioid funds. The committee moved and approved the application by voice vote; commissioners indicated they would coordinate with the city when city funds are involved.
