By Kimberly McMillian
Correspondent
DAYTON, Tenn. – Before the Rhea County school board members select a construction company to build a new high school, they want to know who’s in charge of what.
“Whose responsibility is what?” Dale Harris, chairman of the Rhea County school board, asked at the Purchase and Finance Committee meeting last week. “I want us to be accountable, in accordance to the laws of the state.”
Specifically, board members want to know what the school board is supposed to do and what the finance committee is supposed to do about finding a construction firm.
Mr. Harris suggested that board attorney Carol Ann Barron review the specifications, and Commissioner Chris Goodwin agreed.
“It’s not about me, but it’s about what’s best for our kids,” Mr. Harris said.
The school board voted earlier this year to have the finance committee seek a resolution with the construction plans.
“This board is in charge” of picking the construction manager and architect, committee Chairman Ronnie Raper said.
The committee agreed to postpone the initial selection of three or four contractors to interview until all board members could be present and review the qualifications of each contractor. The committee plans to vote at its meeting Wednesday.
Seven responses came in last month to requests for proposals on the new high school construction. RBA Construction, Dillard Construction, Merit Construction, Lawler-Wood, Alliance Corp., Heery International and Hewlett Spencer responded, Mr. Graham said.
The S&ME firm from Chattanooga conducted tests on the soil surrounding the school’s proposed location, and the results showed that “we could put it there,” Mr. Raper said.
Mr. Harris said construction of the 280,000-square-foot school in Evensville could cost nearly $30 million.
But one local resident questioned whether the school is needed.
“Get some more trailers. If we don’t have (the money), we don’t spend it,” Ruth Ann Wilson said before the meeting.
She debated with Mr. Harris about the possibility of a tax increase, but he noted that residents voted in August 2008 for a half-cent sales tax increase to help pay for the new school.
Kimberly McMillian is based in Rhea County. Contact her at kdj424@bellsouth.net