County School Board members said Monday they do not consider East Ridge Elementary a top priority for replacement.

Board members, at a facilities committee meeting, said several other schools are ahead of the school, which was one of two listed as part of a county 26-cent property tax increase.

The board asked its attorney to determine if the county specified that the $16 million to $18 million that was approved must be used for that school.

Commissioner Curtis Adams, who voted for the tax boost and who represents East Ridge, said the money was meant for East Ridge Elementary.

He said, "If it is not used for East Ridge Elementary, then it won't be spent - period."

Commissioner Adams said, "East Ridge Elementary is one of our oldest schools and it has been patched and patched. I don't see how anyone can argue against it."

He said he is "disappointed" in Facilities Committee Chairman Debra Matthews, who said the county did not have the authority to specify which schools are built next.

Commissioner Adams said, "We have built three or four new schools for her as well as an $18 million remodeling of Howard High School."

He said of the school board stance, "I have learned in over 20 years on the commission that you can't fight ignorance."

The other new school slated to be built, according to the county, is Red Bank Middle School.

“I’m sorry to say that the County Commission does not have that authority (deciding where to build schools),” Ms. Matthews said.

She went on to say that the school board alone decides if, when and where new buildings, renovations and repairs are to be made, though the county government does look at the school board’s plans before deciding to approve monetary support of a project.

The board discussed the county commissioners’ intentions in raising taxes and planned to look up meeting minutes. If a new Red Bank Middle and a new East Ridge Elementary were among the reasons for the tax hike, then the Facilities Committee may have lost some leverage, it was stated.

Ms. Matthews mentioned putting the schools' portion from the 26-cent property tax increase toward a projected $12 million to $15 million operating deficit, but decided the direst needs were construction of a gym at Lookout Valley High School, fire code upgrades at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS), renovations at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts (CSLA) and new piping to replace Orchard Knob’s lead pipes.

Ms. Matthews said the Red Bank Middle School project was, in her eyes, a sure thing.

East Ridge Elementary was initially slated, according to the in-depth study done in 1999, for a $1.25 million renovation.

“Quite honestly I have reservations about the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness (of a renovation at East Ridge Elementary),” said Gary Waters, associate superintendent for building and grouds. Such a renovation is estimated to be more than double the $1.25 million today, and a new elementary school costs $15 million. Mr. Waters agreed that a new Red Bank Middle School was “needed badly.”

“We could probably reach into a hat and draw out a name and not make a mistake,” he said of other schools in need of help. He continually brought Harrison Elementary and Falling Water Elementary into the conversation. “Those schools are in dire need,” he said.

He added that Sale Creek will need additions or a new building in a year, noting that the property is full of portables.

He noted that northern Hamilton County will begin overcrowding in the next decade, and outlined this schedule of growth:

1. East Brainerd, Apison, Ooltewah
2. Soddy Daisy, Sale Creek, Bakewell
3. Highway 58 area

Lookout Valley Gym

Janice Boydston of District 6 led discussion and agreement of the need for a new gym at Lookout Valley Middle/High School. She said the teenagers go to the gyms at Patten Elementary School or David Brainerd Christian School for practices and matches, equipment in tow.

“I think the time has come,” she said, pointing out that gyms do not offer just athletic benefit but are part of school curriculum’s health and wellness requirements. The gym project was put to the front and will cost an estimated $7.5 to $8 million.

The committee decided to table construction and renovation plans until after a field trip to schools in question.

Other News

- The board suggested updating facilities plans drawn in 1999 to be ready by spring of 2008 for more serious building renovation and replacement considerations.

- Mr. Waters asked the board to consider converting CSLA into a K-12 school to accommodate growing population.

- The committee discussed selling or otherwise transferring ownership of surplus properties Hamilton County owns to be rid of ownership responsibilities and expenses. Bachman Elementary in Walden and Signal Mountain Elementary, both on Signal Mountain, were discussed as properties that had become model community centers that the cities may be interested in purchasing.

- The committee is considering a land swap with parcels by Highway 58 to accommodate a new Harrison Elementary and expansions of Central High School and other surrounding schools.

- Mr. Waters suggested relocating Ooltewah Elementary at some point to accommodate population growth.

- Mr. Waters explained that though the department of education recommends smaller, more intimate schools for learning’s sake, it’s cheaper to operate fewer big schools. He asked the group, “Can we afford the luxury…?”