The Warren County Commission is considering $4.9 million in building improvements to Irving College School, Warren County High School and Bobby Ray Elementary.
The bulk of the funds will be spent for expanding Irving College School at its current site. An estimated $3 million would go to building a new gym and approximately eight more classrooms.
At WCHS, a multi-sport training complex, now being called a Wellness Center, is estimated to cost $1.1 million. An extensive upgrade to Bobby Ray’s gymnasium, estimated to cost $800,000, will account for the rest of the $4.9 million.
Education Committee members met Monday night and approved the request from Director of Schools Bobby Cox with a vote of 4-1. In favor were Commissioners Terry Bell, Morris Bond, Clinton Hill and Diane Starkey, while against it was Commissioner Joel Akers.
“I think everyone knows how I feel about this,” said Akers. “It’s being called a Wellness Center now. It was an indoor sports complex two months ago. I see no benefit academically from a $1.1 million Wellness Center. There is an outside chance it can come in under budget. There is a good chance it will probably go over budget. I have a problem telling taxpayers we are building a Wellness Center that costs well over $1 million.”
The building will be used for physical education classes during the school day and athletics after school. Cox says the building will help the school meet new state mandates on physical activity and help the school’s athletic programs.
“It’s mandated that every public school integrate a minimum of 90 minutes of physical activity per week into the instructional school day. That’s in addition to every student having 1.5 credits of physical education,” said Cox. “The only way we can really meet this is intramural programs. Hopefully, students will use it during lunch time. It has to be offered. Will this help our athletic programs? I hope it does. We would like to start an archery program over there and they will need some place to practice. Our gyms are full. We have basketball teams. We have wrestling programs that are practicing in an empty bay. I think this will be a benefit to all the kids.”
Bell says county government isn’t responsible for the new emphasis on physical activity.
“If you want to fuss with someone, it should be the state,” said Bell. “They keep telling us what the school need to be doing. If they come down and say every kid has to be in a wellness class, we have to do it. It’s not the PE we remember. When I had PE and you wanted to sit down on the bench, you could. You got your grade anyway. Everyone made an A, but they tell me it’s not that way anymore.”
Not on the committee but present during the discussion, Commissioner Ronnie Lee says he hopes added attendance in physical activity in school will reduce the crowd at Warren County Jail.
“If we spend a little more money on the education system, we may not need a bigger jail,” said Lee. “So, maybe we need to invest in what’s being discussed. Then, instead of 280 people a month out there, we could trim that down to 250 or 240. If these young people have a complete, well-rounded education, then that’s going to help keep them out of trouble. That’s my opinion.”
Budget and Finance Committee members approved the expenditure using 10-year general obligation bonds. Interest on the debt will be $668,112, bringing the total cost of the projects to more than $5.5 million.
According to Bell, consideration was given to using 15-year general obligation bonds and the additional interest cost ended that as soon as consideration began.
“When we looked at this over 15 years, there was about a $500,000 savings in interest if we went with 10 years,” said Bell. “That’s one reason we went with 10 years. Our financial director (Linda Hillis) advised us that she believed we could stand this. She advised that we might have to put a penny or two back in debt service to handle this.”
When it came time for the vote, Akers stressed his vote against was directly related to the Wellness Center portion of the measure.
“I’m about to vote against this,” said Akers. “I want to make it clear that my vote against isn’t a reflection one bit toward the Irving College or Bobby Ray projects. I’m against the Wellness Center. I’m proud of the Bobby Ray project and the Irving College project. The Irving College project, especially, because they have needed this for years. In fact, I would like to issue them an apology that they have had to wait so long.”
Warren County Executive John Pelham says the measure will likely be placed on the Aug. 18 agenda for the full Warren County Commission to address.