Loftis Middle School is located on Columbus Rd. just off Hixson Pike.
Hamilton County commissioners took another step to move a new Ooltewah Elementary School toward its Aug. 1, 2013, completion date.
On Thursday they approved Franklin Architects to design the school.
Commissioners voted 6-1, with two abstentions, in favor of the firm.
Later Thursday, the Hamilton County Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve hiring Franklin Architects for the project. Board members Joe Galloway and Everett Fairchild were absent.
Commissioner Fred Skillern said he couldn’t support the project because of problems with Loftis Middle School, the last building Franklin Architects designed for the schools.