Commission Approves Purchase Of Properties For New Schools

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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Commission Approves Purchase Of Properties For New Schools

   County leaders voted Tuesday to move forward with the plan to purchase properties in Summertown and Loretto to be used as sites for the construction of new high schools.

   Members of the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners approved the resolution during a regularly scheduled business meeting Tuesday evening.

   During a special session held in early November commissioners voted to secure $3.5 million in funding to go towards several capital projects, including the property purchases. County Executive T.R. Williams said that $600,000 of the monies had been earmarked for those purchases.

   The resolution allowing the purchases was approved on a vote of fifteen to one, with two commissioners absent. Commissioner Aaron Story cast the sole dissenting vote.

   Commissioner Chris Jackson, who serves as Chairman of the county’s School Board Liaison Committee explained Wednesday that the land purchase is just one of many steps that will eventually lead to the schools’ construction. It may be some time, he said, before the county is ready to move on to the next step.

   Jackson said that many variants must be taken into consideration. “In the coming months due to past commitments, increased costs, rising inflation and no increases in revenue for almost a decade, the county will have to pause the building plan so we can determine our path forward financially.”

   Jackson was quick to reassure, saying, “This is not a stop. We will be proactively working to find the fiscally responsible way we can comprehensively address our schools, economic development, our roads and other key areas.

While building these schools is a top priority, making the right financial decisions for the taxpayers is just as important. With this acquisition, these properties will be there waiting for us to start construction whenever we are financially able to do so.”

“At the end of the day,” Jackson added, “These purchases represent an investment in our future and show our commitment to Lawrence County's children."