Paris, Tenn.–Citing the uncertainty of the economy, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, the Henry County Schools board of education voted unanimously Thursday evening to delay the Patriot Stadium artificial turf project.
The meeting was held at the county bus garage, which will be the permanent location for board meetings from now on (unless they are held at the local schools). Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins said the conference room at the bus garage is a good location since it is handicapped accessible and roomy.
At last night’s meeting, board members were spread apart and wore masks and visitors were limited.
Dr. Watkins said the recommendation to delay the turf project was made due to several factors: bids coming in higher than expected, the ongoing COVID-19 situation and its impact on the timeline to complete the project and economic uncertainties also caused by the COVID-19 situation.
“We’re just wanted to be extra cautious right now,” Dr. Watkins said. “We don’t want to move forward until we know with more certainty what is happening.”
In other business:
The board also unanimously approved the 2020-2021 school year which will include proposals for a 1.5 percent raise for certified staff, which will increase the starting pay to $40603 and a 1 percent raise for support staff.
“It’s a balance budget”, she said, which will include a few additions including the Patriot Playschool, the employee day care program which will begin next school year and a new County-Wide Middle School Competitive Choral Program.
–Dr. Watkins said guidelines will be released next week for the HCHS graduation May 29. The new guidelines will be different from other graduations in the past and Dr. Watkins issued a plea to the public to be understanding and follow the guidelines so that the 2020 graduates can be honored.