Facilities Committee Tours New Patriot Academy

Monday night’s Facilities Committee Meeting included a tour of the New Patriot Academy currently under construction – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Facilities Committee, government officials and interested citizens toured the partially constructed Patriot Academy on Monday, February 4, 2013. Jefferson County Schools Director of School Facilities and Business Affairs Phagan served as guide for the group. Though the Patriot Academy is expected to be completed by late spring, due to the time left on the school calendar, students will not inhabit the facility until the start of the new school year in August.

Following the tour, the Committee held their meeting in a work trailer on the school site. The meeting was Called to Order by Committee Chairman Turner. Absent from Roll Call were Committee Members Tabor and Griffith. A quorum was present for the meeting. Upon a Motion from Committee Member Carmichael and 2nd from Committee Member Dockery the Minutes were Approved.

Director Phagan provided information on the number of leased portables both before and after the current project. Currently there are 18 leased portable units and nine School System owned units. After the current project there will be 14 leased units and 8 owned units. Portables at Jefferson County High School account for 10 of the leased units and will not be removed until the renovation at Jefferson County High School is complete. One unit that is currently owned by the School System will be donated to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department for use at their training range. The unit is unsuitable for use in the School System because it does not meet code (no bathrooms and small classroom space), according to Phagan. The unit will be transported to the range site by the moving company that is contracted to move other units at Dandridge Elementary School. Jefferson County Finance Director stated that the Department of Education will not realize the full benefit of reduction of leased portable units that was included in the current budget year due to length of time involved in returning leased units. All leased portables at Jefferson County High School will be returned to lease company upon completion of renovations to Jefferson County High School, according to information provided by Phagan.

Jefferson County Director of Facilities Longmire brought a recommendation to the Committee to Approve a lease of the recently vacated lower floor of the Jefferson County Health Department (next to the Jefferson County Election Office) that was previously used by Jefferson County EMS/EMA. A portion will house the Jefferson County Department of Ageing and the remaining space was available for lease. Longmire recommended that the Tennessee Highway Patrol be leased the space in the amount of $600 per month. The County will provide no IT services, according to Helton. Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri stated that he felt the presence of the Tennessee Highway Patrol was a benefit to the County. Upon a Motion from Carmichael and 2nd from Dockery the recommendation to approve the lease request Passed Unanimously. The Meeting was Adjourned