The Lawrence County School Board voted April 17 to contract two licensed wastewater operators to manage the Summertown High School wastewater plant, approving an expected net budget increase of about $12,000.

Director Atkins told the board the plant has been operated for years by staff with lower-level licenses and that forthcoming changes to allowable effluent levels require more technical expertise and frequent testing. Atkins said district staff consulted the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts and local utility experts and identified two locally based licensed operators already familiar with the plant.

At the meeting Atkins named the two operators as Steven Summers and Kevin Kelly. He said both are current LUS employees with level-4 licenses who can perform testing, take readings, collect and submit samples and help ensure the district meets new, stricter discharge limits. Atkins said the proposed arrangement would increase the district’s wastewater budget by about $12,000 but would replace some current spending on lower-level operator overtime.

Board members pressed for details on frequency of site visits, liability and employer status. Atkins said the contractors would be on-site at least twice a week, would submit monthly reports to the state, would carry required insurance and that LUS had assisted in earlier months to help the district meet current discharge requirements.

A motion to approve the contract for the two operators carried on a roll-call vote with seven yes votes.