The Clay County School Board voted Thursday night to request bids to remove coal residue and asbestos from two of its old buildings.
School Board Chairman Benji Bailey said the administrative building’s boiler room is contaminated with coal residue and asbestos, while the old gymnasium has some asbestos.
“Years ago, this facility was powered by coal; the heating mechanism was coal,” Bailey said. “So there is still some old residue there. We have been fortunate to receive a grant to not only address that issue, but some asbestos issues and some of our other old buildings as well.”
Bailey said the grant the school system received is an estimated $100,000. Bailey said the buildings need to be cleared of the materials as they are a liability.
“We’re still using this facility here in the basement, and we have people in there every day,” Bailey said. “So again, at this opportunity, we have a chance to alleviate that concern with a grant and make this building safer for all the administrative faculty that is here.”
Bailey said the hope is that the grant will cover the removal and disposal of the materials.
“That includes administration costs, and hopefully, we will see what the cost is to remove these items,” Bailey said. “So hopefully, the grant should cover everything.”
Bailey said the school system is doing what it can to preserve some of their old buildings.
In other business, the board voted to approve the insurance renewal with Risk Management Trust. Bailey said the cost is expected to increase by an estimated $8,000 to $14,000. Finance Director Ashley White said Risk Management Trust represents a majority of the school systems in Tennessee.
Bailey said the board could request bids for services if the board wished to do so. Bailey also said they have been wonderful to work with
“They come and participate in our annual in-service every year, so we are thankful for that,” Bailey said. “And it would be an undertaking, but again something that everyone would be willing to do if the board saw fit.”
Director of Schools Diana Monroe said it is not worth the risk to not renew the agreement.
The board approved an amended contract with Elevate Therapy Collective for mental health services. Bailey said the contract will add additional services for a student who recently enrolled in the school system.
The board approved non-faculty and volunteer coaches for the 2025-2026 spring sports season.