Story Published:
Aug 5, 2011 at 10:48 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 6, 2011 at 9:48 AM CDT
The Putnam County School board covered a wide array of issues and needs in Thursday night’s meeting that included recent legislation, key initiatives and a new virtual school. But much of the meeting’s time was spent examining proposed building projects within the district.
The Monterey and Baxter building projects were given the initial green light earlier this week when the nine person Finance Committee of the County Commission voted 6-3 to issue $53 million in bonds that would be used to build a new Baxter Middle School, a new Monterey High School, and expanded space for Upperman High School. The approved number represents a $2 million reduction from the initial proposal, but is still anticipated to be a difficult number for many Commissioners.
Director Airhart recognizes the difficulty as Putnam County seemingly struggles with its own version of the “debt ceiling” crisis. Airhart remarked that she was “fiscally conservative” and found it difficult to contemplate additional debt for the county, but wanted an opportunity to describe the building conditions and need to the Commission personally.
According to Board Chair Eric Brown, the building projects are intended to address old, expensive-to-maintain facilities and issues of overcrowding. Brown referenced the 60 year old Monterey High School as “falling apart” and Thursday’s discussion of the new facilities included the following key points:
1) Monterey High School: a new facility needed due to old age of present facility. (see photo of plans in photo gallery)
2) Upperman High School: additions necessary because they’re rapidly running out of room. (See photos of plans for the two additions in the photo gallery).
3) Baxter Elementary: new facility to be built right next to Upperman High. Baxter Elementary was also built in the early 1960s. Student population growth demands more space.
Additional debt could mean property tax increases for Putnam residents in the neighborhood of a 16.5 cent increase, which the state recently determined to be $2.6451 per $100 of assessed value.
While it’s exciting that Putnam County is growing, the County Commission is likely to debate these projects. Funding for new facilities comes from taxes, both sales tax and some property tax. So new facility needs create a real challenge—for the County Commission, for the School Board, and ultimately for the Upper Cumberland families and students. However, challenges are nothing new for Tennesseeans and Putnam Countians--the state nickname indicates the resident's ability to rise to challenges--hence, "The Volunteer State."
