Retrofitting Old Park View Into Cookeville PreK Deemed Feasible

A recently-completed study found retrofitting the current Park View School to become a Cookeville PreK Center would be feasible.

The project would free up an estimated 22 classroom spaces around other Cookeville campuses. Putnam County Director of Schools Corby King said the estimated cost could be just under $8 million.

“The bottom line is it can be done if we want to make that decision,” King said. “To me, it’s cheaper than building a new school, more cost-effective for the community before we remodel and gain a lot of space for $8 million when we’re looking at $30 million-$40 million, $45 million when we’re looking at a K-4 right now.”

King said the first decision the board has to make is if it wants to keep the school in use. If so, the next step will be to address the roof which would need to be replaced.

The estimated price tag does not include the price of a roof replacement, which could cost more than $1 million according to Maintenance Supervisor John Magura.

“We know that’s the major issue,” King said.

School Board Member Lynn McHenry said this project would be something for which the school board would have to ask county commissioners for a bond. However, the board is already considering asking for additional financial assistance on the 5-8 addition at the new Park View School.

King said the company that performed the study, ESG Propriety Feasibility Anayalists, has a primary line of work in remodeling but also works with control systems. He said the company suggested that they could find savings in the old control systems at the old Park View, which include HVAC and energy management.

“Their suggestions and recommendation systems that they work with is okay we’re telling you you can save some $600,000 a year, so out of your savings you pay that back to the county debt service so you can pay back over the 20-year note,” King said. “Well if it worked that clean, then that might work. But you just don’t know.”

King said once they got it, the company said they could do the work in phases over the summer and over breaks if the system had the bond and be open in 2024 when the new school opens. But if the students are out, King said the work could be completed in one year.