News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putnam County Commissioners approved a $13 million bond Monday night to renovate Park View school for a pre-K facility and other system maintenance projects.
That bond includes $6.5 to $8.5 million to renovate the Park View facility. Director OF Schools Corby King said the approval of the bond will allow the school system to get exact numbers on the Park View plans.
“We feel like this is a good value for our community,” King said. “It’s kind of a no-brainer when you look at the cost of new construction. We would convert the current Park View school into a pre-K center. It would be a centralized pre K for the Cookeville and Algood’s pre K programs. That would free up between two and five classrooms to allow room for growth in all of our elementary schools, something that we desperately need. And we can do this for much, much less of cost than what new construction would be.”
Mayor Randy Porter said the bond will not require a property tax increase. The interest rate would be roughly four percent on the current market.
Several Commissioners expressed appreciation for the school system’s approach to the growth issue, highlighting the work shown during a joint meeting earlier this month.
“Perfect use for that facility,” Commissioner Darren Wilson said. “The fact that they put a $2 million roof on it. Excellent idea for this. I agree with Commissioner Faccinto that this was a fantastic meeting the other night. Probably one of the best joint meetings in my personal. And I’ve talked to other commissioners that were there, they felt the exact same way. And I want to commend you and your team for that.”
Porter said the process will take 60 to 90 days to turnaround.
