The Bradley County Board of Education has approved a $65.5 million general fund budget for 2012-2013. The budget includes a three percent raise for system employees as well as contract bus drivers. Budget director Rick Smith presented the board with the proposed $3.2 million capital outlay projects budget. Mr. Smith said the committee developing the budget tried to consider the schools' first requests their top priorities.
When board member Troy Weathers proposed setting aside $200,000 for a future science wing at Bradley Central High School, Director of Schools Johnny McDaniel said he wouldn't want to take away money from the schools' requests.
He said school officials would have to take the money from the roofing and HVAC allocations. However, Mr. McDaniel reminded the board there are at least 40 HVAC units that are from the 70s. Mr. Smith said his committee felt unanimous in their recommendation. The issue was made moot when the board voted 3-3 for the motion. Dr. Richard Baker, board member, said, "This is a fine idea philosophically. We are setting a desire - let's keep it in mind so it doesn't disappear."
Teddy Bryson, principal of Oak Grove Elementary, is retiring from the school after 18 years, and the system after 42. Buck Watson, who teaches at BCHS, will take his place. Mr. Watson said, "I am excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work."
Angie Lyon of Kaatz, Binkley, Jones and Morris Architects told the board the Blue Springs property is completely finished. Board member Christy Critchfield said she went by Tuesday morning and "It's gone - wrapped up - clean." She said, "It's very sad, but it looks really nice." Cason Conn of TriCon Construction said the work at Michigan Avenue Elementary is 99 percent complete. Officials are waiting on touch up paint, athletic equipment and asbestos abatement.
The board approved special courses for Walker Valley High School, Bradley High School and Bradley County Virtual School. WVHS is adding an engineering computer class that, according to Arlette Robinson (career and technical advisor), will expose the students to technology in engineering and leadership and professionalism. She said the course will go along with the Wacker courses set to start in the fall.
Zoe Renfro, who has been a catalyst for the virtual school, said the digital art will not only be for fine arts, but touches on digital art forms. The board also approved Mythology II for Walker Valley. Dan Glasscock, supervisor of secondary education, said "The intent is to get another avenue." He said Mythology I is very popular. "Good teachers usually keep the course going," he said.