TISD OKs funds for summer renovations
BY JESSICA MATLOCK Contributing writer

Troup school board members approved $588,000 for several projects to be completed during the summer. The work includes renovating restrooms at the elementary, updates and improvements at the Ag building, work on the adjacent bus loop and addition of handicaPped park spaces, and creating a coaches office at the high school.

At one time, proposed work on the Ag building and parking area was estimated to cost more than $600,000, but the renovations were pared down.

The breakdown of funds includes $349,082 for the Ag building, $112,000 for the bus loop and two handicapped parking spaces, $66,700 for the elementar y restrooms and $66,200 for the coaches office.

Trustees considered the renovations as a base bid for the Ag shop with the other items as alternates one through three.

A fourth item, widening the high school driveway, was rejected.

Trustee Keith Lindsey initially moved to accept the base bid and alternate four, but his motion died without a second.

The board then approved the $588,000 package, with necessary budget amendment, unanimously.

Trustees also approved a budget amendment for the purchase of supplies for technology training. The funds are available, but need to be moved into the correct account.

The board also gave its OK for re-roofing projects at the elEmentary in the amount of $165,115.

The bleachers in the high school gymnasium will also be replaced at a cost of $41,000. The board approved a necessary budget for $4,000, as there are $37,000 in funds already budgeted.

The new bleachers will have aisles and color coding to spell out THS. The seating capactiy will drop from 400 to 338.

After a brief executive session, the board accepted the resignation of first-year girls basketball coach Mitch Davis.

Before the board considered its agenda items, trustees spent some time touring the high school and middle school athletic dressing rooms and the weight room at the fieldhouse.

This was a follow-up to a presentation by athletic director John Eastman from last month's regular board meeting.

Eastman was asked by Supt. Marvin Beaty to assess the athletic facilities and came back with recommendations to replace most of the fieldhouse weights and weight racks, as well as some renovations in the dressing rooms.

The proposal also includes a double net system to allow the varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams to practice at the same time. Also flags will be replaced and the school fight song lyrics will be painted on the wall.

Trustees also asked to seek bids for the same system in the middle school gym.

The renovations in all dressing rooms would include improvements to the showers, some painting, and the use of a non-slippery composite flooring.

Beaty also proposed switching varsity and junior varsity girls dressing rooms at the high school, with the addition of larger lockers with bench seating for the varsity.

Trustees will consider these items and bid proposals at the next regular meeting.

Jennifer Stewart, district financial services manager, gave an updated report on the possible refinancing of the 1999 bond series. She said the district would save $200,000 over 20 years.

Stewart had given a presentation earlier about how the refinancing and expected overall growth in property values would allow the district to save money and lower the Interest & Sinking rate. At last week's special meeting, however, she said that a decline in gas and oil production could offset the estimated growth and might not lower the I&S as expected.

The board will make its final recommendation on this issue at its May 13 meeting.