The Greeneville City Schools Board of Education and City Council gathered yesterday and voted to have City Manager Todd Smith and Director of Schools Steve Starnes meet with SMN, Inc Properties regarding financing options for the purchase of the Jeff Woods Memorial property for a potential Middle School.
The 53.7 acre property had Phase 1 in an Environmental Site Assessment, an evaluation done as well as a survey, but an engineer still needs to do a full site study. Smith wanted the board to look at all possibilities and complexities with the data provided before making a decision on investing in a new school. He suggested taking a look at the budget first. Property owners have stated they bought the property for about $1.8 M and would want that same amount for the purchase.
Starnes said 7 properties were looked at originally for a potential new school site and 3 out of the 7 were selected and presented to the boards. Since then one is already under contract and now there’s only two properties remaining. A motion was made for both Smith and Starnes to speak with SMN, Inc. and investigate financing options as well do request for proposals (RFP’s). Then both will make the recommendation to the boards and a day will be scheduled for a follow up meeting.
A motion was also made for 3 representatives from the Town of Greeneville and 3 from Greeneville City Schools, to choose a Educational Planning Consultant and evaluate services. RFP’S will also be put out and evaluated, then presented to the board. The consultant would be helpful with making a decision on investing in a new school. Smith says the council could be asked to implement a property tax increase if that decision is executed.
