Back in 2017, WCHS officials received approval to begin phase one construction of an agriculture barn from School Board members. It’ been two years since and nothing has happened, leaving many to wonder the reason for the delay.   

According to Director of Schools Bobby Cox, the time lapse is due to determining the plan and dimensions of the barn.

“We tried to get with White County to get their architect’s plans from them, but there was going to be a fee for those so we got with Allen to see if he could draw the plans,” said Cox, referring to school architect Allen Hill. “He’s tried to stay close to those plans.”

While the estimated barn cost was $100,000, the bids have come back higher than expected – FTM with $144,255 and King Construction with $289,000.

In the plans, the actual structure is 40 feet by 60 feet and includes 12-foot overhangs on the sides, concrete flooring and pens on the inside. During the update, Cox mentioned the barn could be done in phases and reiterated several times that the barn would have to be fire marshal approved.

Through fundraisers and donations, Danielle Smith, WCHS Agriculture Education and FFA advisor, said the organization has raised around $25,000, which has been sitting in an account. 

“We think we can come up with $50,000 in the near future if we need to,” said Smith. “We’ve got people who want to donate but they want to see where their $25,000 went to begin with. I keep promising that I still have this money and I have not spent it on anything else.”

Smith also brought a parent question before the School Board asking if the kit can be purchased and then they put it up since purchases through the school are tax free.

Answered Hill, “My recollection is there is an attorney general’s opinion that says it would have to be erected by school personnel not by a contractor in order to classify as tax free.”

Added Cox, “When it’s put on our property, it has to meet our specs. Even though you raise the funds for it, it’s on our property so it becomes our building. The problem we face on our end being a public school is that we’re going to house animals, 50 kids in it at one time, and we have to go by what the fire marshal says.”

While the School Board is still negotiating with FTM, it’s hoping to receive a lower bid at the next board meeting before deciding what the school system can contribute to the project.