The County School Board on Thursday night voted unanimously to take $913,600 from its fund balance to fix problems with stadiums at seven high schools.
They include East Ridge, Tyner and Howard, where there were major problems.
Repairs will also be made at Ooltewah, Lookout Valley, Hixson and CSAS.
No timetable was given for the work.
Board member Steve Highlander said academic areas are a priority, but he said, "We are in line for a major lawsuit if anyone falls from a bleacher and gets hurt."
The concrete East Ridge stadium (home side) was condemned and roped off last year during an unbeaten regular season.
County Commissioner Tim Boyd had proposed using proceeds from a new cell tower at East Ridge High to finance a bond issue to replace the bleachers. That will not be necessary after the school board action.
The board earlier assigned the East Ridge cell tower proceeds half to the school and half to the technology fund for the schools - as is the practice at other schools with cell towers.
Commissioner David Testerman initially had a second motion that would have asked the County Commission to pay half the $913,600 cost. However, that was withdrawn.
Board member George Ricks said, "We've got the money. We need to take care of that."
Rhonda Thurman said, "If we've got the money, let's go ahead and pay for it. It shows the commission that we are serious about getting these things taken care of."
Board member Greg Martin brought up the idea of partnering with the County Commission to address a list of $4.8 million in deferred maintenance items at 16 county high schools.
He said the schools might take additional funds from the fund balance to go toward that upgrade.
Christie Jordan, county school finance director, said it was not a worry to take out the $913,600, but she said there was pause for concern if any more is withdrawn.
Mr. Ricks said a community stadium with a first-class track should be built on property owned by the schools next to Howard.
He said it would be one "that all the schools could use."
The cost of the Howard bleachers that were approved is $236,000. The bleachers could be moved to another site if the current field is abandoned, it was stated.
County Commissioner Greg Beck said sewage gathers on a portion of the Howard football field during flooding.