October 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Work Session

Mr. Drew provided construction updates, beginning with the BCHS field house, noting that exterior work is nearly complete and the project is on track for turnover by January 1. Mr. Page added that the timeline was set to avoid impacting the baseball season. The secure vestibule project at BCHS is almost fully closed out, with remaining cosmetic and panel repairs being completed at no additional cost to the district. Mr. Drew confirmed that Cherokee Construction served as the general contractor and that the awning has been repainted by maintenance. A lighting addition under the awning may be considered for next year’s outlay request.
 

Mr. Drew also updated the board on the BCHS science wing, explaining that the design is being revised to include storm shelter specifications in order to qualify for FEMA funding. The project has cleared state and FEMA approvals, and the district anticipates receiving funding soon. Dr. Cash confirmed that all required reviews are complete and the project now awaits legislative release of funds. Construction is expected to take approximately 15 months once permitted, with completion projected for 2027. Updates continued with Hopewell Elementary, where Phase 1 (a 12-classroom addition) is underway. Masonry work has begun, and the new gym and library relocation plan remains on schedule. At Ocoee Middle, all interior renovations are complete and the building is fully in use. The outdoor turf and courtyard area will be completed soon, after which a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held. The project came in $1.7 million under budget.
 

At Park View Elementary, the new building construction has begun following successful bids and permitting. Site clearing and foundation work are underway, with a goal of getting out of the ground before winter. Dr. Cash thanked the State Fire Marshal’s Office for helping expedite approvals. Mr. Drew & Mr. Page then shared future growth projections, showing significant residential development in the north and northeast quadrants of the county. To accommodate growth, plans are in progress for a new 600-student elementary school on Dry Valley Road, with the district already having purchased 40+ acres for the site. This school will help relieve overcrowding at Park View, Michigan Avenue, and North Lee Elementary.
 

Dr. Cash talked about managing rapid enrollment increases and long-term planning. The district is also exploring an eight-classroom addition at Waterville, which would require expanding the gym and cafeteria but would not significantly increase student capacity beyond the current 635. Other schools, including Hopewell and Park View, are already projected to exceed 600 students each in the coming years. The south side of the county shows slower growth, leading to a discussion about possibly selling the Blue Springs property (19.9 acres) and reinvesting in a more suitable site. Mrs. Lee noted that 40 acres is typically ideal for a new elementary school, while 50-52 acres are preferred for middle schools.
 

Dr. Cash and the board discussed the impact of new housing developments—particularly 500 planned homes along Benton Pike and in northeast Cleveland—and the strain these will place on school capacity. She emphasized the need to reduce the district’s reliance on portables and to prioritize building projects that anticipate growth. The Dry Valley project and Waterville addition remain top priorities, with construction timelines averaging 18-24 months per project once approved.

The discussion concluded with a review of upcoming facility needs and potential projects. Dr. Cash and board members noted that the district’s secondary schools will also need expansion to align with rising elementary enrollment. Ideas included a new gymnasium at Lake Forest Middle, new bleachers for the football field, a track addition at BCHS, and a sports facility at Walker Valley High School. Dr. Cash also suggested exploring a new athletic complex at the Lauderdale property before pursuing another middle school, noting that a new middle school would cost $50-60 million, while the track project alone would cost roughly $2.3 million.

Items to Add to Next Project List

• New bleachers at Lake Forest Middle School

• New gym at Lake Forest Middle School

• Sports facility at Walker Valley High School

• Track project at Bradley Central High School

Mrs. Smith provided an update on Fund 177 Construction Projects, noting that previous information was shared during the April and May budget meetings. There remains approximately $52,000 in the BCHS vestibule fund to address remaining items still in progress. Currently, the district’s construction fund balance stands around $13,530,198, and no additional funding is being requested from the county commission at this time. However, Mrs. Smith noted that updated construction costs are expected soon and that a revised budget proposal will likely be brought before the board once those figures are confirmed.
 

Chairman Beaty then requested an update on BizTown, asking about progress and funding. It was shared that the district is actively pursuing two grants totaling $500,000, with additional fundraising efforts underway, including outreach to foundations and a planned "Lunch and Learn" event. The goal is to secure matching funds from the current budget to move the project forward.
 

Chairman Beaty also asked Mrs. Casson for clarification on available funding and transfers. Mrs. Casson explained that the district has roughly $700,000-$800,000 available to reallocate to another budget project. Before the purchase of the Dry Valley property, $500,000 was temporarily moved from Ocoee’s project fund to cover the land cost but has since been returned. Vicki asked whether any other project figures would change, and Nancy responded that only Park View Elementary currently has updated, reliable cost projections, as it is the most advanced in the construction process.