Lake Forest Middle School students change classes. While many walkways are covered between pod buildings on the campus, several metal overhangs are prone to leaking during wet weather, said faculty members. Some walkways are not covered at all. Bradley School officials want to see a major makeover for Lake Forest, which encompasses 17 buildings on 75 acres.
Bradley County Commissioner Ed Elkins, chairman of the redistricting committee
Bradley County Commissioner Jeff Yarber.CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Bradley County Commission on Monday voted to provide up to $12 million in 2017 toward a proposed $14 million overhaul of Lake Forest Middle School.
Commissioners voted 13-0 for the measure introduced by Commissioner Charlotte Peak-Jones. The plan relies on projected revenue increases and does not include the purchase of furniture or equipment not associated with the school’s technological infrastructure.
Funding will go toward construction of a 57-classroom academic building that will replace about a dozen classroom pods spread across the school’s 75-acre campus. Construction of the new facility is intended to head off at least $6 million in repairs and to save energy.
Excluding items such as furniture and new computers is appropriate, Commissioner Ed Elkins said.
“Just because you build a new school building does not mean you’ve got to put all that new equipment in there on a 20-year bond,” Elkins said. “It make no sense to me to vote a 20-year bond … for a [computer that has a lifespan of no more than] seven years at the most.”