At their last meeting, the Loudon County Commission voted to recommend the school board attempt to get construction drawings and bids for all four Phase I projects to determine what the county can afford to build and to approve releasing $1.5 million to the school board to do just that. Phase I of the building program calls for a new school in Greenback, a new middle school in Loudon, renovations to the Philadelphia School cafeteria and the combining of Loudon Elementary and Fort Loudoun Middle School.

At Thursday evening's board meeting, the county school board unanimously voted to approve accepting the $1.5 million to take three of the four Phase I projects up to bid, but not to get actual bids. The project to combine Loudon Elementary and Fort Loudoun Middle School was put on hold since it could not be done until the new middle school is completed. Board members have heard from building professionals at past meetings urging them not to put projects out for bids until it was determined they can be funded. 

Board Chairman Scott Newman said he felt it is still important for the entire board to meet with architects to iron out any changes before anything is sent to the county commission. 

"The county commission says they don't know what we want," Newman said adding that what he wants is a joint meeting between the school board and the county commission. 

Board member Steve Harrelson said he didn't think the board should cut back on the building plans until they have a answer from the county commission on how much the county can afford to spend. Board member Van Shaver agreed that before submitting anything to the county commission a meeting with the architects would be "the last shot to make changes without change orders" which would up the cost of any project. 

Newman suggested the board hold a workshop that could include a special called meeting if the board decides to vote on any part of the plan. 

The board voted to approve Phase I of the projects - minus the combination school - and to let Merit Construction come up with refined cost estimates for the three projects. Harrelson noted that Merit Construction has a good track record when it comes to their cost estimates. He said the firm's estimate for the cost of the new Grainger High School was within $40,000 on a project that cost $26 million. 

The board then voted to hold a workshop Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the LCTC Building in Lenoir City to look over the plans and consider any last minute changes with the option of going into a special called meeting if they need to vote on any part of the plan. The board also approved hosting a joint meeting with any county commissioners who want to attend, the architects and the public. This meeting will be held Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Loudon High School auditorium and will include detailed architectural drawings and a slide presentation explaining the plans in detail.