(Smith County Insider Press) South Carthage, Tenn. – On February 16th, the Smith County Board of Education met for their monthly meeting at the Board of Education building in South Carthage. During the meeting, Director of Schools, Barry Smith, brought to the boards attention that the bridge closure was costing the School System approximately $4,000 per month. The cost includes extra staff, overtime pay, and diesel fuel.
The school board discussed several options to help the delays due to the bridge closure. They decided to provide an additional bus route each morning that will leave from the parking lot at the Smith County Farmer’s Market to Forks River Elementary. This route is estimated to leave the Farmer’s Market at 7:30 am and should arrive at Forks River around 8 am. This route will not only save parents fuel and time, but it will also take stress off of the traffic situation at the I-40 interchange in Gordonsville. Around 30 students have committed to utilize the route each day.
Board Member, Tina Gantenbein, made the statement that the bridge closure could potentially affect enrollment at Forks River Elementary School in the Fall of 2016 due to the travel time it takes to get to the school if you live on the west side of the Caney Fork bridge. This would cause enrollment differences at other elementary schools in the county, and could potentially add an additional cost of extra employees to accommodate the enrollment fluctuation.
Director, Barry Smith, stated that he planned to attend the TDOT public meeting that was to be held on February 18th, to ask TDOT officials if they could help the School System recoup any the funds that will be spent due to the bridge closure.
On February 18th, Director of Schools, Barry Smith, attended the TDOT public meeting. Mr. Smith asked Paul Degges, Chief Engineer, if TDOT had any funds that could be given to the School System to help them recoup the approximate $4000 per month cost that they’re enduring due to the bridge closure due to additional bus routes, diesel fuel, overtime pay, and staff.
Degges responded that to his knowledge, there were no funds available through TDOT to help the School System recoup the extra expenses that they’ve endured during the bridge closure. He stated that he would look into potential emergency funds from other departments.
Click HERE to watch the February meeting of the Smith County School board.
Click HERE to watch the TDOT Public Meeting that was held on February 18, 2016 at Forks River Elementary School.
Paul Degges (TDOT Chief Engineer) 2/18/16 Public Meeting
