The Neelyville School Board will be seeking bids for the construction of new bathrooms near the baseball and softball fields. The move comes amid substantial input from the community. Previously, the school contracted portable toilets for sports games.
“There’s not another school you go to that has porta-potties and it’s embarrassing,” board member Jill McGruder asserted.
The board received an informal quote from Nathan Cockrell at B&N Contracting for a 16 by 20-foot building. The structure would house bathrooms and a concession stand for $43,480.
Superintendent Heather Black informed the board, “There’s already water and electric to that area.”
While an existing prefabricated structure stands near the site, members decided it would not be practical to retrofit into a bathroom. Black relayed the contractor’s options for either raising the floor of the old building to put in plumbing or cutting the concrete.
McGruder added raising the floor would likely make the building non-compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Members also discussed whether to put in a septic tank or pursue linking with the City of Neelyville’s sewer system.
“That could be done for the same price as the septic,” Black informed.
Looking into the regulations governing these types of efforts, she noted projects costing under $50,000 may be completed without some of the bureaucratic hoops of more expensive endeavors. Board member Paul Petty commented, while the cost of B&N’s bid seemed high, inflation likely had a part to play.
“Costs are a little bit more stabilized,” McGruder added.
The board passed a resolution to start seeking formal bids for the construction of the new building. The district will consider quotes for a 16-by-20-foot structure with options for electric and sewer. Board member Marco Gavino asked if the project would have to come out of the school’s budget or through a fundraiser.
Board President Jim Hover suggested a fundraiser, given the strong community feedback on the subject.
He remarked, “I think people will respond to this.”
In other business, Black informed the board 10 individuals had qualified for this year’s homecoming court. She noted the standards for qualification are being a four-year letterman in sports.
Black also announced the date for this year’s Tiger Fest as Saturday, Oct. 19.
“It will be a full day of activities and events,” she stated.
The event will kick off with a parade through the town. Black listed art and talent competitions in addition to the Mr. and Mrs. Tiger Fest contest.
For non-action items, Petty inquired what the district’s policies were toward using Biblical scripture as a historical, not religious, source. He mentioned several states including Tennessee opened the regulations on using the Bible for this purpose in the classroom.
“I think it’s a good thing. I think already a lot of things are historical events because of scripture,” Petty said, “I think our teachers would prefer to have another reference point but may be afraid due to the separation of church and state.”
Teacher Lisa French clarified the school already references the Bible, especially in art history due to much of Western art depicting religious scenes.
Curriculum Director Traci Reinbott added the curriculum incorporates studying the Bible’s creation story in a secular context and comparing it to other traditions in a literature class.
Finally, the board voted to set its next meeting date for Oct. 14.