The County Commission on Wednesday approved paying architect Don Wamp up to $1,071,246 for drawing up plans for a new East Ridge Elementary School.
Commissioner Curtis Adams said the vote was a long time coming.
He said, "It has been 18 months since we approved the appropriations for this school. It is one of the longest procedures I have ever gone through."
There was some sentiment in East Ridge to keep the nearby McBrien Elementary School open, but it was finally decided to move those students to the new East Ridge Elementary.
The new school will be built at the site of the current East Ridge Elementary.
Commissioner Adams said he hopes it is ready by 2010.
He said, "It's a humbling thing to be in a room with 200 people and they are all against you. But they will forget all about it when they see that new school.
"It's going to be a beautiful school."