Washington County Tennessee Commissioners deferred to vote on a new roof for Jonesborough Elementary until April, in a 10-4 vote.
The full commission had plans to vote Monday night on $1.1 million for a new roof for the aging building.
Maintenance supervisor for the county education department Phillip Patrick said the original idea, was for roof improvements to be a part of the plan to renovate Jonesborough Elementary into a K-8 school. But after the community pushed back in favor of a new building for Jonesborough students, the board has had trouble agreeing on a plan for the future of the Jonesborough K-8 school.
One person who spoke during public comment said the has been in contact with parents at the school and most do not want a new roof for the school.
“We can argue roof or no roof, but what we can argue is that we see government waste all the time,“ said James Reves. “Every parent in Jonesborough would love to see the school renovated. They both said we don’t care about the roof at all.“
Commissioners went back and forth uncertain if using over one million dollars in tax payer money would be considered a waste if the school board had plans to tear the building down in a few years.
Washington County School Board Chairman Kieth Ervin was in attendance and assured the commissioners that the board did not have final plans to tear down the school.
Commissioners said they hope to get some clarity from the school board on their plans with the elementary school before they make a decision on the new roof.
Some explained that the delay could impact the children.
“The more we delay that, the odds are better that the project will be extended into the school year,“ said Bryan Davenport, 6th commission district.
A final decision will be made at the next commission meeting in April.