Portable Classrooms To Remain At JCHS, Jefferson Academy, and White Pine School

The Jefferson County School System is in the process of removing portables from some local schools. The relocation of some of the units has been the source of questions in the County. Director of School Facilities and Business Affairs, Michael Phagan, provided information regarding the relocation of County owned units to replace leased units at the Jefferson Academy (alternative school), the Family Resource Center, Technology Services and Technology Training locations in the County. Two of the portable units will be placed on basements. The basements will be used to provide storage for the school system. According to Phagan, the cost of the basement storage will be approximately $1,500 to dig each basement storage area. Funding for the basement project only will come from Operation of Plant / Maintenance funds. The cost of moving the portable units will come from the school system fund balance and was recently approved by the School Board, the Jefferson County Budget Committee and the Jefferson County Commission. Phagan stated that, barring complications, the basement storage should be completed in February. Some portable units will remain in use in the County, including those that are currently housing classrooms at Jefferson County High School, the Jefferson Academy, and White Pine School, as well as auxiliary department areas. The relocation process on the units has begun and Phagan hopes to have the first phase of removal and relocation completed before the students return from Christmas break.