CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The prospect of a new Bradley County elementary school came closer to reality Wednesday.

The County Commission’s Finance Committee voted 5-0 to recommend to the full commission in two weeks that it raise up to $18 million for school capital projects.

That’s as much as the county can borrow without a property tax increase, County Mayor D. Gary Davis said.

The committee’s recommendation includes up to $10 million for a new elementary school on Minnis Road and up to $2 million for renovations at Valley View Elementary.

The county must give a third of any money it raises for education to the city schools based on student population. That would amount to $6 million.

The committee also recommended the county school system begin work immediately at Valley View. That project calls for seven classrooms, a media center and an improved cafeteria.

Commissioner Mel Griffith said during a long discussion before the vote that he had reservations about borrowing up to the county’s limit.

“I think it’s prudent to not borrow everything we can. I would like to see us have some in reserve, if we can,” Mr. Griffith said. But he urged Valley View to be the first focus so it will not be delayed because of the new school.

School board member Terry McGuire was present and urged commissioners to approve funding as an “all inclusive” plan. Commissioner Jim Smith agreed.

“If we do Valley View only, we are fixing a problem, no doubt; but we are not fixing the overall problem, overcrowding in schools,” Mr. Smith said.

The national economic picture could make now a good time to launch the project, committee Chairwoman Connie Wilson said.

“There’s probably a lot of people looking for work,” she said. And bidding the two projects together, she said, could save county money.

Comments