Community News
GMP for athletic renovations approved at board meeting.
By Dave Whitaker
May 19, 2021, 17:48

Besides the new primary school, one of the other big goals of the ESPLOST passed in 2019 was numerous athletic renovations. One of them being renovating Royal Stadium. Because of the cost of materials, it’s price was higher than originally expected.

Still, there was a desire to do the other projects. Building tennis courts at the middle school, rubberizing the high school track, and building a cheer/wrestling facility. The guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to do all three would be $3,065,11.

At last night’s monthly board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith presented two options. One was to transfer two million from the General Fund to Capital Projects fund to cover only the tennis courts and track. The other was to transfer $3.5 million to do all three projects.

Smith noted the cheer/wrestling facility would have a trainer’s room as well as simulator rooms for softball, baseball, and golf. He said that even with the $3.5 million transfer, they would still have a fund balance of 19.5 percent for projected FY23 expenditures.

Amy Williams asked Smith what he thought the community’s perception of them would be if they agreed to option 2. Smith said he thought it was important to do all three projects because of the complaints of some who said the only priority was football.

Another way Smith said the facility could help would be if wrestling were added as a sport (that and girls flag football were both being considered.) One thing coming out of the project was the building of a football concession at the middle school. They instead hoped to be able to put lights in at the baseball/softball field.

The board approved the GMP and in a separate voted, voted to approve the $3.5 million transfer to cover all three projects. The first of two public hearings was then held on the FY22 budget. Following a few questions, it was approved.

The tentative budget can be found at https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4014&AID=1270584&MID=92497 Another public hearing will be held at the June 8 monthly meeting before the final budget is passed.

Approved was the purchase of a SPED bus. It’s a 66 passenger, plus six wheelchair ramps, air conditioned. The state will pay $77,220 of the $108,700. The sole bid came from Yancey Bus Sales.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Trey Belflower provided an update on roof repairs at Bleckley Elementary. He said they were completed and noted parking lot sealing and striping would begin there as well at BCHS soon.

BCHS Ag Mechanics team members with advisor Dr. Walt Parks. (Not pictured Will Holloway.)

Members of the Superintendent's Advisory Council with Dr. Steve Smith. (not all could attend.)