Questions about new school’s cost, location still unresolved

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Questions related to the financing and construction of a new Hartselle High School were left unresolved Monday night after the city’s elected officials and school board members met for an hour and 45 minutes in a joint work session at the school library.
The question that received the most discussion was how much would it cost to build the facility.
Mayor Dwight Tankersley said the new estimated cost is $43 million, including $3 million for infrastructure, providing the school is built on the 65-acre Lando-Cain and I-65 site. The estimate was $30 million to build a school for 1,200 students when the project was first proposed by the school board more than two years ago. It was later increased to $35 million, then $40 million.
The location of the school was also discussed at length.
Tankersley identified on a city map three possible sites: Lando-Cain Road and I-65, Bethel Road (adjacent to F.E. Burleson Elementary School) and Kyle Road south. Retired coach/principal J.P. and Ruth Cain own the 65-acre Lando-Cain site. Infrastructure, including a service road from Highway 36 to Parker Road, would be required for construction there.
The 52-acre Bethel Road site was purchased by the board for future school use several years ago and was approved as a school construction site by the State Department of Education prior to construction of the new F.E. Burleson Elementary School.
The Kyle Road site has multiple property owners and Tankersley said he has not questioned them to determine if they would be interested in selling.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed indicated a preference for the Lando-Cain site. He said a new high school there would aid the city’s push for economic growth at the I-65 and Highway 36 interchange, where the city already owns property, and help build a larger tax base.
School board members also indicated a preference for the I-65 location providing all precautions are taken to ensure the safety of students going to and from school. The unguarded CSX Railroad crossing at Tabernacle Road was mentioned as a major concern. Tankersley said he felt it would be possible for the city to negotiate with the railroad to install gates there.
Other questions raised but left unresolved were:
City Attorney Larry Madison said provisions of the 1-cent tax increase approved by the city council recently earmark all revenue for the new school’s construction, maintenance and improvements.
Councilman Don Hall suggested that a reserve account be set up as a depository for tax revenue in excess of the bond payment and used to supplement the 1-cent tax receipts during economic hard times.
Opinions varied widely on the disposition of the school’s systems Bethel Road property in the event it isn’t used for the new high school.
Councilman Kenny Thompson agreed with Reed.
Councilman Mizell spoke out strongly against spending more than $40 million for the new school.
Tankersley said the city’s annual debt service for education would go up to approximately $2.9 million on a $43 million bond, including the city’s current bonded indebtedness for schools.
Speaking as an interested citizen, Bill Partridge urged the council and school board to be careful not to spend more than they can pay back. “If and when you bankrupt the city, you’re going to look silly. This is serious business, Remember, it’s taxpayer money you’re obligating. “
Jeff Johnson, director for the Department of Development, reminded city and school leaders to approach the school project as a total project.
It was mutually agreed that additional study and discussion is needed to reach a resolution on questions pertaining to the school project and that another joint work session will be scheduled in the near future.