As the students of Loudon County Schools are inching closer to the end of the year, one eye on the final bell, the Loudon County Commission and Board of Education are busy crunching numbers and keeping their nose in the books.
With bids rolling in for a number of projects, including the newly proposed public school, officials are preparing for a big test of their own.
As the Commission and other local entities are rapidly preparing for this momentous project, Loudon County Director of Schools Mike Garren gave a brief presentation on the progress made at the April 21 Commission workshop.
His findings addressed concerns within the logistical nature of the project, as well as raised a few additional questions he hopes to have addressed by the Commission’s next voting session.
Garren began his presentation by stating that no bids had been awarded at the time of the workshop, and recommendations by Cope Architecture were only made available on the day of the meeting. He stated that the BOE is unable to approve or give the go-ahead to any entity until the issuance of the bonds by the County Commission first.
While nothing is in ink yet, Garren did indicate that certain organizations are already being penciled in as potential suitors for the various projects. He also stated that the majority of those estimations, totaling around $94 million, are likely to come in significantly under budget.
The major renovations and projects within existing schools are as follows:
Philadelphia Elementary’s renovations, which include 10 new classrooms and an auditorium, had the starkest contrast. What was budgeted as around a $9 million project is now looking at a lowest bid of $6,178,000. Cope Architecture, the firm heading up the project, is endorsing Wilson Construction for the job.
Greenback School’s gym and football facilities, which is slated to be around $2.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Evans-Ailey Construction Inc. is the recommended contractor for the gymnasium, with Merit Construction being slated for the stadium remodel. Those cost estimations are again below the previous prediction, which saw a total price tag of $6,782,940.
The CTE edition for Loudon High School, the only project projected to go over its initial budget estimation, is said to cost a little more than $1 million, rather than the original number of $762,710. FTM Contracting is recommended to take on that project.
The proposed North End School, estimated to house around 1,200 students from seventh through 12th grade, is also speculated to come in roughly $12 million under budget. The school now has a low bid of $81,850,000, with Blaine Construction Companies receiving the referral.
When the final tally is done to include Cope Architecture’s construction fees, testing fees, as well as technology and furniture installation, the total price tag on all projects is currently predicted at $104,498,000. Director Garren explained that there should be no reason that the price of developments exceed this number, with the exception of the rare problem left unaccounted for in the initial plans.
He also said that the recent tariffs implemented by the Trump administration could cause fluctuation, though their study has accounted for those possible contingencies.
Director of Accounts and Budgets Erin Rice said that once the bids are accepted, the numbers for construction and development cannot go up.
“$110 million is what’s being recommended by the Budget Committee,” Rice said. “That means it won’t exceed that.
“If there is anything needed above that, then schools will have to come back and request more money.”
In June of 2024, the Loudon County Commission gave the greenlight to the new school among the other aforementioned projects that will be paid for in part by taxpayer dollars. The approval saw a subsequent hike in the County’s property tax, raising it to $1.76 from $1.51.
According to Rice, Loudon County’s Budget Committee is currently recommending a bond resolution for $110 million, not to exceed 25 years. A drop in interest rates, she said, could have contributed to the decrease in amount versus last year’s estimation. A representative able to answer further, in-depth questions on the contracts and bonds was expected to be present at the voting session on May 5.
The Board and Director Garren also said that they plan to meet with LCUB to discuss possible sewer system alternatives and additions in the near future. Gravity systems, a new pump station that goes under Highway 321 are both possible solutions.
“We’re starting with the most economical solution,” Garren said. “And trying to work our way to get something that works.”
Garren also gave a brief outline of the 526-page traffic study conducted by Cannon & Cannon Inc. detailing the impact the proposal will have on traffic, which the study deems as “moderate” in nature.
His abridged assessment highlighted a turn lane coming south and north on Highway 11 into the property, as well as extending the turn lane at Shaw Ferry and Highway 11.
Even with a comprehensive study now on hand, some residents still worry about the disruptance to traffic patterns a new, densely populated building right off of Highway 11 could have. One resident asked Director Garren if dismissal and arrival times for other schools in the vicinity would be considered to alleviate the possible stress and congestion.
His answer was brief.
“I’ll defer back to the traffic study,” Garren said. “And they indicated that the improvements that they’re recommending will be sufficient.”
The Loudon County Commission was to reconvene on May 5 to vote on the approval of bonds in relation to the upcoming school projects.
