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Resident proposes $13.5 million DOE school subsidy tied to Oak Ridge nuclear economy
Summary
During public forum, Martin McBride proposed the city and school board pursue a direct Department of Energy subsidy of about $13.5 million per year, comparing Oak Ridge to past DOE support in other host communities and offering to draft a resolution for the board and city council to consider.
Martin McBride addressed the board during the public forum and proposed that the city seek a direct school subsidy from the U.S. Department of Energy in the amount of roughly $13.5 million per year.
"I'd like to propose that the city go forward and request a direct school subsidy on the order of $13.5 million per year to this board of education here from the Department of Energy," McBride said, pointing to DOE legacies and Oak Ridge's role as a host community for nuclear‑related facilities.
McBride said he will prepare a draft resolution for the board's consideration and asked the board members to review and comment. He noted the item originally arose at a recent city council meeting and stressed that council action would be required; he told the board he had spoken to council first because the council must take action, but that the board's support would be key.
Board member Mr. Dodson engaged briefly, asking whether McBride had discussed the idea with the schools; McBride said he had not previously presented it to the board but that he would forward a draft resolution for the board’s consideration.
The board did not take action on the proposal at the meeting; members suggested they would review any draft resolution returned for consideration and that further conversation with the city council would be necessary before any official request to DOE.
