School Board Takes First Step On Park View Plan

The Putnam County School Board will begin narrowing the scope of a proposed remodel at Park View School as well as the purpose for the soon-to-be vacant school.

The system entered into a performance-based contract with ESG of Johnson City to begin exploring the renovations and the price tag for the work. School Board Member Lynn McHenry said this is an important first step.

“This doesn’t mean that we are signing a contract to do x amount of work there,” McHenry said. “It’s signing a contract to say that we’re going to work with this particular company in order for the purpose of renovating. But the extent of that renovation and all that is yet to be seen. So it’s the plan for us to move forward, but we don’t have any hard numbers on that yet.”

Director Of Schools Corby King said, meantime, the board needs to define if it is ready to commit to the facility as a Pre-K center for the Cookeville schools. That would increase needed classroom space at those facilities, which much less expense than building additions or building a new facility.

“That would free up two to three classrooms in our elementary schools,” King said. “So we also have some growth room in those schools. So we think this is a good project.”

The School Board got an overview from ESG during a recent board work session of the areas the company would explore in the renovations. King said the company offered to do a similar presentation when the school board and county commissioners meet in joint session this May. It is expected that the two sides will talk specifics about county financing of the Park View project.

King said ESG liked the outline of the project and said the current facility had “good bones” with which to work.

The new Park View facility should be delivered by May.