The long running saga of what happens to the Greeneville-Greene County Center For Technology took another step toward an answer Tuesday when the Greeneville City Council agreed to purchase the property, using school system debt service money currently earmarked for school debt.
The vote to purchase the property was unanimous in voice vote. But prior to the vote, discussion between Mayor Cal Doty , City Council members and Director of Schools Steve Starnes featured lots of back and fourth discussion after a recommendation from City Manager Todd Smith that the City either:
(1) use the 1/4 of a cent sales tax rolling off the current debt service to be used toward the purchase of the property, then when the town school debt when it rolls off in 2029, using those monies
(2) dedicate the 1/4 cent sales tax that rolls off the school debt this year and roll it into new debt for the cost of the purchase
(3) do not purchase the technology center, sell the city interest to the Greene County school system and effectively put Greeneville out of the technology business all together
Smith then recommended option two, which prior to a vote, resulted in discussions between the Council and Director of Schools Steve Starnes.
Despite the unanimous vote, Mayor Cal Doty saying they have been hearing for three years “we’re gonna have a plan” but telling Starnes there are some opportunities but right now “we’ve got our back against the wall “ and all the time Doty said, “under your ( Starnes) leadership.”
Based on an estimated 125 city students at the center each semester, Mayor Doty asked Starnes “can we afford it” to which Starnes responded “we feel we can operate the school moving forward with cuts.
There are currently 11 programs at the Center. Four would be cut under the current plan with one other moved to Greeneville High.
City Council member Matt Hensley says despite voting in favor of the plan, he still has questions.
Hensley questioned Starnes if any options remain for some type of collaboration to benefit both school systems.
Commissioner Ginny Kidwell responded that the divorce (between the school systems) has already happened.
The City School Systems plan also includes moving the school bus service operations to the Center location. Starnes says funds are available in the school system budget to allow for the purchase of the equipment currently located inside the center. He says around $300,000 would be needed for necessary renovations at the facility.
