By Karen Hall

Editor

The county may be able to borrow enough money to fund the building program school board members have been discussing, Schools Director Jackie Abernathy revealed Monday.

County Commission Chairman Nathan Johnson "indicated after talking to (financial advisor) Steve Bates $19.5 million over three years is the most they can borrow," Abernathy said. There could even be some money available this year, and taxes will not have to be raised.

There are three proposals for the building program, Abernathy said. One is for the maximum, the best of everything, and appears unaffordable now. The second is a reduced version of the first which adds less rooms to the elementary schools in Lewisburg. The third, and the one which is under $19.5 million, also builds fewer classrooms in Lewisburg and leaves out the improvements at Forrest school. These would have included tearing down and replacing the old gym and nearby classrooms.

Board member Ken Lilly agreed with the third proposal.

"Let's make sure our schools are OK before we go after that gym," he said.

"Can we accomodate all the children with fewer classrooms if we go with No. 3?" asked board member Donnie Moses.

"This will take care of us for a while," Abernathy answered. "This is doable for now and this will be so much better than what we have today."

"Judging by the historical data, we're probably OK for seven to 10 years," said school board chairman Mike Keny.

Once county commissioners have approved borrowing the money, bids can be called for, and they may come in for less than the current estimates.

"It's just an educated guess until we get the bids," said Moses.

"Will there be geothermal (heating and cooling) for the new intermediate school in Chapel Hill?" asked board member Barbara Kennedy.

"Yes, there will," confirmed Abernathy, "And a pitched roof."

School board members voted unanimously to send the third proposal to county commissioners.

It will be discussed at a joint meeting of the school board and the county commission's education committee to be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in the Courthouse Annex, and also at a meeting of the county commission's budget committee on Thursday, April 18. School board members were urged to make every effort to attend both of those meetings. as well as the county commission's monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, April 22.

In other good news at the school board meeting members Kristen Gold and Susan Hunter presented the results of the director's evaluation.

The results were all very good, with Abernathy scoring an average of 4.61 (on a scale of one to five). Only two board members gave her few marks of three; all the other marks were fours and fives.

"It's the highest score since I've been on the board," exclaimed Keny.

Next month's meeting of the school board will be preceded by a reception for the valedictorians and salutatorians of all three high schools, as well as any students who have schieved perfect attendance for all 12 years in Marshall County schools.

"It's a feel-good moment for the board," said Keny and Kennedy agreed, strongly encouraging board members to continue the tradition of contributing their own money to finance the reception and gifts for the students who will be honored.

Abernathy said students who achieved exceptionally high ACT scores will also be recognized at the May meeting.