[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6381648,"mediaKeyId","2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf","parentId",2128086,"title","Hunter middle‑school wing near completion; Little Milligan closing nearing final approval, district eyes cafeteria expansion","audioSeconds",155,"startMs",834390,"endMs",990250,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf&start=834&end=990","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf/thumbnail_834390.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6381648/Tennessee/Hunter-middleschool-wing-near-completion-Little-Milligan-closing-nearing-final-approval-district-eyes-cafeteria-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381648-1907393a18ddc8249a7f64e635d134da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864832&Signature=PZ65b0IKWZXKuYBriSGsIJRJPAsZBjSMUY3PoR~uwmOG4sBUD6oY1nagwY3zZvdjuDw80f6FFu-jL5MGxu63oS~jfraQTTy0uioE6E6U7VyuGI5zsy8MG2Nt0-i1XyAqULFsb8hdCw-cvyn1p2n-Md5vnNIyQYD4nyrrh6wzUykPjxn2eDxFyj3DPTvYYf-bDmjniX86t9t4opydXMjes6wwUEqwPhx5LLz-L1D0vIAgzTavOjnqe8nDhXFXcs0p~FJ0S~gsz1BehIfOf25CWbbR1SOgzH9AoXLX7PNXhC6vsWkNJOhjkFgUf-fCd4WOT5Dwi6AMkOzdstGpt5PRFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carter County Schools","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","District staff updated the Carter County School Board on ongoing facilities projects, saying the Hunter project is on schedule and that the district is preparing for a separate property closing at Little Milligan.

On the Hunter project, the staff member said phase 1 — the new middle‑school wing and the gym — was expected to be finished in April or possibly May, which would let the project move into phase 2 (renovating the old gym and converting space). The staff said completing phase 1 will allow students and programs to move into new space and free the current cafeteria and kitchen areas for conversion to PTE (career and technical education) labs; staff said grant funds may be available to offset renovation costs.

The staff emphasized that cafeteria expansion depends on moving students into new wing space so that the district can reconfigure the existing building. The staff said the project is tracking close to the original schedule and may finish slightly ahead (possibly a month earlier) than initially projected.

Separately, district staff said paperwork for Little Milligan property transfer had been returned to the district’s attorney, Scott, after the buyer’s attorney made small edits; staff said they were waiting on final approval from Scott and that the closing could happen in the days or weeks before the next board meeting.

Board members asked about timelines and funding; no formal vote or new appropriation was recorded for either the Hunter project’s next phase or the Little Milligan closing during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Carter County Board of Education Workshop 2025-01-09","oneSentenceSummary","Officials said phase 1 of the Hunter project (new middle‑school wing and gym) should be complete by April–May, enabling phase 2 work including cafeteria expansion; staff also reported Little Milligan paperwork returned to district counsel and a closing could occur before the next meeting.","taxTitle","Carter County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",67752,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6381652,"Carter County district shows small rise in system GPA; board considers delaying retention decisions after flood disruptions",756,433290,1189460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf&start=433&end=1189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf/thumbnail_433290.jpg","/articles/6381652/Tennessee/Carter-County-district-shows-small-rise-in-system-GPA-board-considers-delaying-retention-decisions-after-flood-disruptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381652-82d134f0e82ffe8483d629d674498b9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864832&Signature=aj-Mi7dbfItWeu-sHqlakapfAur~TePbkiAN8bddxOwIltKndra1N2yIEkjWu-oaW~VV~G7A2y22CvCjGvl6lfw~4~K49vAmYW4q1AtQA8Bb4kzlI6K0kni1WR108h4PyW4BJ4W-vWZOYyEQ-ZBqufXwv8ctdARCBDOAQIs8zSPPeI3Hm-AErGJ6OJztoCdFHWCd24pqJjvE4V72Msi1o3156GC3MgNw~i2GQ~~bdhUvsm-zX7CGsxTK78~sQMdA69hmpLPK32dKz3VtVE5VBDgY3CfY7mLzbfoKKtC15jtnlO43Tgjt2kCSTXmp3Y9Guw~mNioEq~XlrVsLh9Ocdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A district academic official reported to the Carter County School Board that the district’s systemwide academic average rose modestly from about 2.20 in 2023 to 2.36 in 2024 and outlined priorities to sustain steady annual gains.

The official said the district is tracking school letter grades and that some individual schools improved while others slipped; the online academy remains difficult to assess because of high student turnover. The official explained one analytical approach the district uses: converting school results to a four‑point scale to monitor system averages and target bottom‑performing schools for focused improvement.

Board members and staff discussed retention policy timing after flooding and weather caused lost instructional days. A principal had emailed concerns about deciding retention in February when the district missed significant school time; a board member proposed extending the deadline to March this year to give teachers, parents and families more time to evaluate student progress. The official said the change could be made as a motion to amend the applicable policy (referenced in the meeting as policy number 12345) and suggested moving the decision window by one month to reduce stress on families and allow more complete data.

The academic official also noted chronic absenteeism and correct coding of attendance records as one factor that can materially affect school accountability ratings; the official said attention to coding and small operational details has helped avoid misclassifications in recent years. The district is also monitoring the state’s Education Freedom Act developments and circulating a Q&A prepared by the state that addresses superintendent and board concerns.

No formal vote was recorded on moving the retention deadline during the meeting; board members asked staff to return with a recommended motion or revised policy language.","District officials reported the systemwide average grade point improved from 2.20 to 2.36 year‑over‑year; board discussed moving the student retention deadline from February to March this year given missed instruction time due to flooding and weather.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6381654,"District says public adjuster found $5 million in flood damage across 20 buildings; Hampton High under separate FEMA review",365,1396530,1761980,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf&start=1396&end=1761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf/thumbnail_1396530.jpg","/articles/6381654/Tennessee/District-says-public-adjuster-found-5-million-in-flood-damage-across-20-buildings-Hampton-High-under-separate-FEMA-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381654-c82ea68a395fc5a667551984cbf4daae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864832&Signature=TPZl6j3mRtNmAo5pRQVry8ObW6bI-i6475gyOMFjryu9Nbmy5AgD9KFKeREkaa9TQFWKi6gt5jS1qXrYC1~3ZlhALAtjsxHUdO-3M9wptW3UL~J50H8kilpxsWczdhBT0R2Fn9yJcXuofMpLwPZz~j87LbgC0GDYow9imCBoumGAispZ16LKt3ScubIFrQYW59TqOkMdwXa1VyAea~mqDCQgk-~rcKUAIDbtcDpQrnxiD0DnFDVJN3wjFeuwhN2voYGcxiJZvXrPBNBeerPME0zgcCHLCQ9BcHubeK0tZwR-RTgEhM9EIHXl76Ahr1Am-JwdtRWct-ywJQQUlBiyMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District recovery staff told the Carter County School Board that a public adjuster reviewing storm and flood damage identified about $5,000,000 in damage across 20 buildings (excluding Hampton High School) and is negotiating with the insurance company while district staff prepare FEMA documentation.

The staff member said the adjuster has itemized damage at multiple schools and is determining which losses are eligible for insurance versus FEMA assistance. The recovery staff said the adjuster’s final report was expected by Monday or Tuesday following the meeting and that some damage payment documentation must be submitted to FEMA by the following Friday.

Hampton High School remains the subject of a separate FEMA project. District staff said FEMA regional coordinators have conducted site inspections, and that Dr. Carpenter has met weekly with FEMA personnel at Hampton High in recent weeks to support assessments. The speaker said FEMA projects have been created for Hampton High School, the Hampton temporary school site, Loudland and Duffield.

Recovery staff described a technical impediment that could limit rebuilding at one site: the district’s sewer system may be located in a regulated flood area and TDEC or FEMA rules could bar rebuilding the system in its current location. The staff said consultants and contractors are being asked to assess whether it is physically and legally possible to reconstruct the sewer system on the existing property; if not, the district may need to buy land outside the floodplain and relocate infrastructure, which would greatly increase project cost. The speaker said updated flood‑zone maps are also complicating estimates.

Board members asked about the public adjuster’s compensation. Staff confirmed the adjuster’s fee is contractually calculated as a percentage of the delta between the insurance company’s original denial and the amount ultimately paid by the insurer (i.e., the adjuster is paid from insurance recovery), and that the distinction from FEMA funds is important.

Staff also said the adjuster found wind damage to several roofs that had not previously been a focus amid the district’s water damage assessments. The report will itemize line items such as fencing, bleachers, athletic turf and contents for affected schools and will list whether those costs are recommended for insurance or FEMA filing. The speaker said the old bus garage property is included in the adjuster’s review and that debris removal and demolition for structures deemed unsafe may be part of the claim.

No formal action was taken during the meeting; staff said they would circulate the adjuster’s final report to board members when it is received.","District recovery staff reported a public adjuster has preliminarily identified $5,000,000 in damage (excluding Hampton High School) across multiple buildings; Hampton High is the subject of a separate FEMA project and the district continues to work on insurance and FEMA documentation, with sewer location and flood‑zone maps complicating repairs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6381658,"Carter County officials say aging bus fleet, broken equipment hampering service; multi‑year replacement planned",68,241,68770,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf&start=0&end=68","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2128086-19df62f5a43f7778c2e9c59da9636faf/thumbnail_241.jpg","/articles/6381658/Tennessee/Carter-County-officials-say-aging-bus-fleet-broken-equipment-hampering-service-multiyear-replacement-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6381658-34efe0d91fe916571d2a4a86f8dbd69b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770864832&Signature=Uztli5MaoO3JfdTjZClkce5TtaBZRrCdRyF6iXmwuXO4emxCkm7GFrk23ixFbCzfJ7i66~pTruhWzAuf6nHv2hhMaPKmXKnuFrXmySGGQa7~8VLU9FZkAsHXilRu8jfAyISDSNDdqDrHMkqJnr8x-MLN5kFjxly4D9d-Ez0FTswJ67jojIso1nQgYytwz36ATwASGzBWvDNjPktD4jWrgJOF5wCdugJ3WxWZq5cENcq4QmK2OcvWkRey7h2zPCcmGwsrfGvL0QPGE~XZZSwfOJ94D06z3tT25rkTPkrYby15rbPmP7sH2dL8j9p2ItU~LAEbosA~l5IA108Sk-IiuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School transportation staff told the Carter County School Board that an aging bus fleet and broken ground equipment have constrained routes and raised safety concerns, and that the district has a four‑year plan to replace most buses.

At a board meeting, a transportation staff member said the district currently operates about 64 buses but estimates it needs roughly 70–80 to meet demand. The staff member said routine maintenance averages $55,100 per bus per year and noted inspection schedules add costs: “A tier 2 bus that has to be inspected twice a year…$1,500 a time,” producing roughly $3,000 a year in inspection costs for such buses.

The staff member said specific equipment failures are impeding operations. A 18‑year‑old tow motor (forklift) used to unload buses from delivery trucks is failing and has required parts and repeated repairs; staff estimated parts or transmission work can cost about $5,000 per unit. The tow motor’s unreliability has delayed unloading and forced extra labor when deliveries arrive, the staff member said. The transportation staff also described buses with brake fluid loss and recurring mechanical problems that have temporarily taken vehicles out of service.

Board members asked about funding and whether the district could instead purchase replacement ground equipment. The transportation staff said available money has been directed to buying buses and that ‘‘we put every dime we’ve had in buying buses, particularly from our budget.’’ The staff described holding off on major repairs in some cases because several new buses that have been purchased are due to arrive in the coming weeks; the staff said some buses were expected online in about two weeks and that five additional ordered buses should arrive before Martin Luther King Day.

The district’s long‑term plan, according to the transportation staff member, is a phased fleet replacement over four years that would reduce inspection and maintenance costs as older buses are retired. The staff emphasized the program is intended to reduce repeated repair costs and to improve reliability.

Board members and staff did not adopt a formal motion during the discussion, and no vote was recorded on fleet purchases or equipment replacement during the meeting.","District staff told the board the transportation fleet is short, older vehicles and broken ground equipment have forced costly repairs and limited service; staff outlined a four‑year replacement plan and imminent bus deliveries.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hunter middle‑school wing near completion; Little Milligan closing nearing final approval, district eyes cafeteria expansion

Carter County district shows small rise in system GPA; board considers delaying retention decisions after flood disruptions

District says public adjuster found $5 million in flood damage across 20 buildings; Hampton High under separate FEMA review

Carter County officials say aging bus fleet, broken equipment hampering service; multi‑year replacement planned