Big Steps and Small Steps, All in the Right Direction
White Pine School renovation project has now been fully funded. Well, at least Phase I which addresses the space needs for classrooms and special areas, as well as the kitchen space. School Board Member Potts made the motion to fund the remaining $800,000 needed to complete the architects’ plans from money that rolled into the Department of Education’s Fund Balance from the last fiscal year. Her motion, which was 2nd by Board Member Bradley, also funded the 2016/17 fiscal year’s Capital Projects Plan which addressed window needs at various school and some other small projects, as well as equipping the new James D. Swann Performing Arts Center. It was that portion of the motion that almost shot the whole motion down. Board Member Jarnigan spoke against putting any money into the auditorium and, ultimately, both he and Board Member Fair were the hold outs in a 5-2 vote.
Potts motion also had a third element, which answered the request of the County Commission in regard to the divvying up of funds that were left over from various building projects. The County Commission accepted the Board approved Capital Projects Plan but wanted to see some funding plan, as well as the disbursement of the left over building funds, before releasing any of the funds for use. Potts motion was a good motion. It answered the County Commission, funded projects around the County that are listed as this year’s priorities and it funded White Pine School without the tax payer incurring any further debt. I would say that it was a win, win, win.
In regard to the do we or don’t we debate on equipping the auditorium, I liken it to spending thousands of dollars on a new, top of the line car and then refusing to put gas in it. It looks great and people will admire you as you sit in your shiny new, costly vehicle. But, if you refuse to put gas in it and it can’t be driven, it is just lawn art and might as well be up on blocks. We, the tax payers, spent millions of dollars on a auditorium to address the needs of County students and the community. It seems counterproductive to leave it half dressed. Shiny, new, and fully functional sounds much better than Shiny, new, and some what functional. And, many, many students use that space. It should not be thought of as an “extra” or afterthought.
I agree that as long as students are in need of classroom space, providing that space must be first on the priority list, behind safety. But, there is money for both. There is money for both the White Pine project and the auditorium needs. There is money for the White Pine project, the auditorium needs and to fund the Capital Projects list, which answers the needs of students throughout Jefferson County. And, after the money is earmarked for all of those things, there is still around $650,000 left over above the minimum that is free and clear. Should the White Pine project hit a snafu and need a little more, it is there in fund balance. For once, it appears that we are ahead of the curve and it feels really good.
So, congratulations to White Pine School and congratulations to the School Board. You did the right thing, the right way and at the right time. For a Board that had a rocky start last month, they sure came a long way in a short time. Chairman of the Board Vines ran a good meeting, Potts made a good motion and it should be cheers all around. I am sure that there are issues to deal with just around the corner and it appears that mold may be the next big question on the block. But, for today I will revel in taking one small step forward for the County and one giant step forward for White Pine School. Could we at last be moving in the right direction?!?
