Baseball stadium repairs approved by school board – The Standard Banner

Jefferson County Schools will use $200,000 in 2017-18 capital projects money to fix the Jefferson County High baseball stadium.

The work was unanimously approved during last weeks school board meeting, on motions from Anne Marie Potts and Dusty Cox.

Deteriorating concrete under the main section of seats and the press box is the main issue at the stadium, which has been waiting for attention for a couple of years.

The work will include shoring up the structure using steel and concrete, or a combination of the two. Also included will be new bleachers for the stadium.

Much like the problems at the football stadium that were repaired a few years ago, water has taken its toll on the masonry, seeping in and damaging the block.

In making the motion, Potts took the opportunity to commend the baseball Patriots first-ever run to the state tournament. Were real proud of them, she said.

School Facilities Director Michael Phagan said he had already had been working with structural engineers, and is ready to move forward with the project so that it can be completed before baseball season begins next spring. The work was scheduled last year, but had to be postponed due to more pressing facilities issues.

Phagan also reviewed the status of other projects that were completed last year, or are still in progress.

One of the biggest, costing just under $200,000, is repaving of parking areas at Jefferson County High.

By doing the base preparation work ourselves, will be able to pave the entire parking lot, including the band pad, Phagan told the board. Weve been down there for weeks, putting in the new base, and fixing storm drains.

Paving at JCHS should begin on July 10, Phagan said.

Another project at JCHS, installation of the lift system at the James D. Swann Performing Arts Center, is scheduled for September. Because bids came in under budget, board members were able to shift $113,000 to White Pine School, to be used on a new gym floor.

Bids for that project will go out soon, Phagan indicated, after officials worked out an ADA/fire code issue.

Phagan also reported that renovation of White Pine Schools kitchen is on schedule, and barring any unforseen delays should be completed by July 31. In response to a question, he said the portable classroom building that was used last year for the transfer of food to the school from Talbott will be converted back to classrooms. Another portable leased for classrooms will be returned, he indicated.

Window replacement at seven different schools will begin in August, and should be completed by the first of the year, Phagan added.

In other action during last Tuesdays meeting, the board:

Approved end-of-year budget adjustments, recognizing additional funds and cleaning up line items in preparation for the annual audit;

Approved the use of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on September 1, by Carson-Newman University for a Boot Scoot;

Approved membership dues of $4,500 for 2017-18 to Tennessee School Systems for Equity; and

Gave final approval to updates on several school board policies.

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Baseball stadium repairs approved by school board - The Standard Banner