The charter school proposed for somewhere on Lookout Mountain near the Lula Lake Land Trust is working through the state charter process and is almost complete, the Lookout Mountain, Ga., Council was told Thursday night.
The plan for the school is to enroll students for the fall of 2016.
The property for the school has not yet been finalized, but officials have been given the option to use possible facilities elsewhere until the property and school have been erected.
The school's executive director, Debbie Tringale, afterward stated, "The petition to the state of Georgia for a charter school on Lookout Mountain was not approved during its initial campaign.
This was not surprising because very few charter school applications are approved on their initial attempt.
"All parties involved in the creation of Lula Lake Academy are committed to bringing a school to the Mountain and will continue to work to make Lula Lake Academy a reality."
Ms.Tringale said that they "are currently looking at a variety of options to meet the goal of opening Lula Lake Academy in the Fall of 2016.
"The board of directors is asking for everyone on Lookout Mountain to visit the schools website Lula Lake.Academy and leave a comment to show support. The next Parent Informational Meeting is Aug. 27."
The council approved a measure to bequeath city-owned property to Frank Hitchings adjacent to his home. In exchange for the property, Mr. Hitchings has agreed to maintain the property by doing necessary maintenance to trees that affect his existing property, saving the city the expense.
Nancy Barton, retired from Fairyland School, is coordinating a first responders banquet to honor the city of Lookout Mountain’s police, fire and first responders. It will take place Sept. 22 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Fairyland School. All are invited. The Fairyland School students will have a special presentation and the Georgia Secretary of State will be present also.
City Manager Brad Haven reported to the mayor and council that one of the three sewer pumps at the Chickamauga Trail pump station is out of order and being repaired. The repair costs for that pump is almost $11,000. Mr. Haven recommended that the city invest in purchasing an additional pump as the other two pumps are showing their age as well. The approximate cost for a new pump is $23,000. The city has the funds in the sewer budget for the purchase and repairs needed.
The council approved the minutes from the regular meetings in June and July. The council also approved the minutes from the public hearing on June 18. The public hearing in June was to adopt the new budget. Following the regular meeting the council went into executive session to discuss the development of the town center.
The next regular council meeting will take place Thursday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 p.m. Prior to the meeting a public hearing will begin at 5:00 to amend and adopt new zoning procedures and standards that have been recommended and presented by the planning commission.