Bond applied for to replace MHS roof
By Gabby Hudson Staff Writer

Murphy High School possibly will see construction begin on a new roof if the bond request is approved by the state.

The bond request by the school board is in the amount of $1,590,000 for the purpose of renovating the roofing system at the high school.

The Qualified Zone Academy Bond program (QZAB) was created under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and is designed to assist eligible local education agencies and schools.

Funds available to schools this year are about $22 million dollars.

The school board had wanted to apply for an additional $470,000 to update computer and technology needs that included switches and rounders.

Terelle Beaver told the board that she had spoken to officials with the QZAB and they informed her the bond could only be used for improvements that would last at least 14 years and computer components was not considered a long lasting improvement.

The board voted to authorize the $1,590,000 for the new room improvements.

Beaver said that if the applications for all of the school districts exceed the $22 million allotted then the officials with QZAB will start the weeding out process to decide need and if the school system had ever applied for fund before.

Karen Kephart asked the board to approve the price increases for school lunches for next year's lunches. The increase would raise the cost of Pre-K-5 to $2.00 from $1.75 and 6-12 to $2.25 from the current $2.00

During the meeting students from MHS Student Government presented a video presentation about the wonderful things going on at the school and then visually showed the current needs of the school that included plumbing, electrical and the general condition of the 50 year old building.The board was also informed that the SGA members had also raised $29,000 for a new sign for the school to be located out by the four lane.

Under the "Good News" portion of the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jeanette Hedrick recognized Jennifer Oakley from Andrews High School. The art student is the first place winner for the 11th District Congressional Art Competition for her painting "Faithful Adam." The painting will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel at the US Capitol Building in Washington DC for one year.

Hedrick said that 91 percent of Murphy Elementary School's 5th grade passed their writing test. Andrews Middle School girls track team finished first in the Smoky Mountain Conference this year.

Hedrick said that two Envirothon teams compete at the state level. Ben Loudermilk from Ranger competed in the National Geographic Geography Bee and Kristen Higden from Andrews Elementary School is Wal- Mart Teacher of the Year.