Board Delays Decision on Old South High 

The Knox County Board Of Education voted today to delay a decision on the fate of the old South High School building until the July 16 Board meeting.

Old South High School Decision delayed until July 16 Meeting

In a unanimous decision, the School Board gave community members an additional month to submit proposals for possible reuse of the facility located at the corner of Tipton and Moody Avenues, which is no longer used by Knox County Schools. The board will consider these proposals at the mid-month July meeting and determine if either reuse or demolition should be pursued.

School Board Chairman and Ninth District Board Member Jim McClain made the motion to delay the vote based on the level of concern and interest expressed by the South Knoxville community.

In discussion before the vote, Sixth District Board Member Diane Jablonski expressed concerns that the School Board retain ownership of the property regardless of what the decision. She listed a number of lease arrangements the school system has on other properties, and she explained that there may at some time be a need to use the property to meet system requirements.

Dr. Charles Lindsey, Knox County School Superintendent, echoed Jablonski as he recommended the Board consider only lease type proposals for use of the property. “ Depending on how that part of the city grows, this could become a piece of property the school system would need in the future to provide for the needs or children,” said Lindsey

Organizations and community members have until July 9 to submit complete proposals for the board to review and consider before the July 16 vote.

In other business the School Board approved funding for the construction of a warehouse facility to be used by the system’s maintenance department. The building will not be located on the old South High School campus as was originally proposed. Another location has not yet been identified.

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