Fletcher, Chattanooga schools propose bonds

Fletcher and Chattanooga Public Schools have two respective proposals for voters to consider.

The first, in Fletcher, is a $115,000 proposal for the purpose of constructing, equipping, repairing and remodeling school buildings, acquiring school furniture, fixtures and equipment and acquiring and improving school sites.

Fletcher Public Schools Superintendent Amanda Grimes said the bond will allow the school to build an indoor hitting facility.

The facility is necessary, according to Grimes, for all students to be able to practice their respective sports indoors during the winter. Grimes says that not all students are presently able to practice indoors during the winter months or in inclement weather.

“This would satisfy that need,” she said. “It would also allow the student athletes at the ball field to have a designated area to change uniforms. It would allow teams to warm up prior to tournaments and playoffs and such things we host.”

The second proposal in Fletcher is for $250,000 to be issued for the purpose of purchasing transportation equipment. According to Grimes, the bond will more specifically purchase a school bus, activity bus, and a Suburban to take all students to extracurricular activities.

According to Grimes, the school currently struggles to ensure that all students are allowed to travel for extracurricular activities.

“We need to replace one of our route buses to have a more reliable bus on the route to ensure the safety and transportation of kids to and from school … increasing our fleet would allow us to ensure that kids are able to participate in their activities, and that every kid’s given the same opportunity.”

Chattanooga public school bonds include $815,000 for the purpose of constructing, equipping, repairing and remodeling school buildings, acquiring school furniture, fixtures and equipment and acquiring and improving school sites, according to a sample ballot. The second proposition in Chattanooga includes $85,000 for the purpose of purchasing transportation equipment for the school.