School board seeks bids on demolition

MIKE WEST
Courier Editor

Cannon County Board of Education voted to seek bids for demolition of Cannon County High School's stage.

That process could clear the way for 129 extra seats in Robert A. Harris' gymasium, explained Director of Schools Barbara Parker

"What we are doing is planning to build," said Board Chairman Randy Gannon.

"Do we know what the cost will be? What is our limit going to be?" asked Shelley Walkup, board member.

The bidding process will determine the possible cost for demolition and then the installation of the seats. The change has already been OK'd by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

"How do you want to proceed?" Gannon asked the board.

Board member Bruce Daniel moved to amend the bid process so the board could first learn the actual cost before approving construction. New Board member Tim Powers seconded the motion, which was passed by the board.

The session was the first school board meeting for Powers, who was selected by the Cannon County Commission to fill the unexpired term of the late Frank Walkup.

Board members delayed action on end of the year testing after learning of possible delays in state TNReady (TCAP) test results. TCAP is short for Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program.

Touted as a "new and improved" TCAP, high school "Quick Score" reports might not be available until after the scheduled graduation date. Those "Quick Score" reports are used to calculate final grades for report cards.

"There's a lot of variables to this. We should take 30 more days and understand it better," Chairman Gannon said. "I move that we put this on the agenda next month. I want to go deeper into this."

Gannon's motion was seconded by Bruce Daniel and was passed by the board.