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News Headlines
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
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West Carroll to Advertise Trezevant Gym as "Surplus" |
By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
West Carroll School Board has
declared the former Trezevant gymnasium as surplus property,
subject to sale.
West Carroll Board of Education unanimously voted Monday to
declare a gymnasium and the school's central office as
surplus property subject to sale or disposal.
Once the home of the Trezevant Blue Devils, the gymnasium is
in ill repair, needing a roof and some structural attention.
A leaky roof, flaking paint, and mildew are problematic,
while renovating the structure would necessitate bringing it
up to modern fire codes. No repairs could lead to eventual
condemnation. One portion of the roof's repair is estimated
at $26,000.
Farmers and Merchants Bank of Trezevant has offered to
purchase the buildings and approximately four acres fronting
U.S. 79 in Trezevant. A new bank building would be
constructed on the site.
The amount of the offer was not disclosed during the
meeting, however, Director of Schools Eric Williams said it
exceeds the amount received in an auction for the old West
Carroll High School and Atwood gymnasium.
The gymnasium and central office stand as the last bastion
of the former Trezevant High School, which was consolidated
into West Carroll in 1982.
Advertisements will be placed in local newspapers declaring
the property as surplus. After a mandatory 30-day waiting
period, the school board will decide whether or not to sell
the property. Interested parties may submit bids to purchase
the property.
Board member Mike Foster said it's time to sell the
building. "We've been plagued with old buildings," said
Foster, who noted the system is still paying on buildings
that are no longer being used. He acknowledged the
sentimental value attached to the building, however,
maintenance and repair of the structure will continue.
"I'm not going to spend any more money on it. It's not doing
us any good," said board member Sam Inman. He recommended
the school not spend a lot of money for sentimentality.
Trezevant gym serves as a voting precinct and is the venue
for some community activities. The school system rarely uses
the gymnasium since the construction of the new West Carroll
Junior/Senior High School in Atwood.
If the structure is sold, the school will have to construct
a new central office and maintenance shop. Nine persons are
currently working in the 2,400 square-foot central office. A
3,800 square-foot office is being considered for
construction. A former football fieldhouse at the old West
Carroll High School would be utilized for storage, and a new
shop building would be constructed.
Chairman Jimmy Halford said the school board would have to
decide the course of action should the building sell. The
sale will provide revenue for the school system and help the
town of Trezevant. Bank officials indicated a construction
starting date of mid-summer, said the chairman.
One citizen in the audience said a new central office and
shop are estimated to cost $200,000. She asked if the new
central office would be constructed in Atwood. Halford
replied no decisions have been made concerning the location.
Joe Travis of Trezevant said he would be willing to pay more
taxes if the gymnasium could be repaired and remain in
Trezevant.
Board member Donald Cunningham said all avenues need to be
explored before deciding the fate. He questioned what the
school system will do if it decides it will not put any more
money into the structure.
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Sizeable Library Donation Memorializes J.E. "Doc" Bell |
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A "generous memorial" on behalf of former McKenzie Banking
Company President J.E. "Doc" Bell was recently received by the
McKenzie Memorial Library Board. The donation was made through
the estate of Doc Bell's wife, Myrla Summers Bell, who died
January 21, 2004, at the age of 95.
Doc Bell was among the original, eight-member library
corporation board. Other members were C.W. Covington, Edna
Parnell, Price McLean, Ruth Morris, A.B. Wrinkle, W.R. Stobbe,
and Virginia C. Hawkins. The board in 1967 established the
McKenzie Memorial Library at the old McKenzie Banking Company
building on Broadway Avenue in downtown McKenzie. The former
library was located in the back of the old City Hall building,
which now houses United Neighbors. Covington donated the bank
building for use as a library.
Bob McDonald, a member of the library board of directors,
recalls the old library, prior to the incorporation of the
McKenzie Memorial Library, was just a few books along one wall
and a desk, humble beginnings brought into existence by the
McKenzie Business and Professional Women's Club.
McDonald and other board members met at the library Wednesday
morning to report on the status of the donation and to discuss
other library business, including the hiring of a new
librarian due to the retirement of Glenda Chambers. Other
members present were original board member Ruth Morris, who
succeeded Bell as president of McKenzie Banking Company,
Library Board President Sybil King, Ruby Allen, Marilynn
Putman, Brents Priestley, and Susan Rogers.
Allen reported the donation had been deposited into interest
bearing accounts in three local banks. While no immediate
plans are underway for the money, King and other members
indicated they hoped to be able to start a building program.
Local library enthusiasts have long dreamed of being able to
relocate the facility of a larger building without an
upstairs.
Said Allen, "This (library) has been a very challenging thing
for a lot of people."
Morris added, "Over the years the library has grown; we
couldn't have done it without the Rotary Club."
She further noted many people over the years have donated
books to the library in memory of loved ones and members
agreed that book and money memorials "are a wonderful way for
people to remember their loved ones."
"We'd love to have a new building sometime down the road,"
said Putman.
In the meantime, the board is considering a pressure wash to
brighten the existing building and also plan to install a
burgundy awning over the front of the library and a fire
escape at the rear.
Interviews were scheduled later Wednesday with three librarian
candidates from a pool of 30-40 applicants. |
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Sturdivant's Contract Extended Three Years |
By Pat Cole
pcole@mckenziebanner.com |
BRUCETON: The Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Board of
Education not only approved the renewal of Director Rod
Sturdivant's contract, but extended it for a three-year period
although the vote was not unanimous. Board members Joe
Robinson and Sondra Kee voted against the extension, believing
it should be for a shorter period of time. Mr. Robinson stated
he did not oppose a two-year extension and Mrs. Kee went on
record as not opposing extending Sturdivant's contract, but
was opposed to a three-year time limit.
The board acknowledged the acceptance of a Safe Schools Grant
for $9,532 with a local match of $1,527.
They also approved the lowest bid for air conditioning the
gymnasium. That bid was for $46,610 and was from Howe and
Jordan Refrigeration.
The board acknowledged their annual audit, prepared by Hart,
Dunn, Creswell and Sparks. David Hart presented an overview
noting it was basically a clean audit with only two minor
infractions in the activities funds.
The board acknowledged the financial summary for January,
approved the minutes of January 10 and the addition of Angela
Stockdale to the substitute teachers' list. |
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