Don Shell with Community Tectonics, the architect firm contract for the building program, was at the meeting to go over different options for reducing the size and cost of the building. Board members and administrators are also planning to take another look at the new middle school in Loudon to see if reductions could also be made there. Shell estimated the cost to make the changes in the drawings would be around $140,000.00.

Some board members and commissioners have been critical of the size and costs of the proposed Phase 1 building plan. The current Phase One building plan includes a new K-12 school in Greenback, a new 6-8 middle school in Loudon and an expansion of the cafeteria at the Philadelphia school. The two new buildings were designed 38% larger than the current enrolment of each of the schools to allow for future growth. Reducing the size of the buildings will certainly save money now but if reduced too much could require additions far sooner that the original plans.

The board is set to hear more details at their next meeting.