Budget Committee Recommends Conditional Approval for Issuance of Bonds to Fund Construction of New Elementary School

October 15, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Conditional funding for construction of a new elementary school has cleared a hurdle

During a meeting Tuesday night, the county budget committee voted 5-0 to recommend to the full county commission that a 30-year bond resolution be adopted not to exceed $55 million for construction of a new elementary school provided that the four municipalities in the county approve extending their existing sales tax agreements with the county for the life of the bond. The cities have until January 1 to act based on terms of the bonds for the project if issued as early as February.

If the cities extend their sales tax agreements and the county commission approves the budget committee’s recommendation, funds for construction of a new school would be totally supported from the local purpose fund (local option sales taxes) to debt service to cover the projected costs. No property tax dollars would be needed to fund it.

“I would make a motion that we make a recommendation back to the full commission for a 30-year bond issue not to exceed $55 million contingent upon the other cities in the county agreeing to the extension of the sales tax agreement by January 1 because these numbers are based on February 1. This is to be fully funded with existing sales tax proceeds assuming the other cities extend their agreements, and the issuance of bonds would only be for what is needed to cover the projected costs,” said budget committee member Tom Chandler.

Budget committee member Mathias Anderson offered a second to the motion and fellow members Sabrina Farler, Tony (Cully) Culwell, and Chairman Jeff Barnes all voted in favor. Budget committee members Tony Luna and Glynn Merriman were absent.

During a joint meeting with the Board of Education and Director of Schools on October 8, the County Commission and County Mayor heard from Brian Templeton of Upland Design Group, the school board’s architect on plans to build a new 800 student Pre-K to 2nd grade elementary school to replace the existing Smithville Elementary complex. The construction would be on property adjacent to Northside Elementary School.

Templeton conducted a power point presentation showing a rendering of the proposed new school as well as the schematic design and floor plans. The commission had first been shown the plans in a joint meeting with the school board two years ago.

According to Templeton, the plans are exactly the same except for the cost. In September 2022 the projected cost to build this proposed 124,207 square foot facility was $46,199,875. Today, the projected cost is $53,414,825.

Under the sales tax agreements with the county, which are set to expire in 13 years on July 16, 2037, the cities turn over to the county for schools a greater percentage of their local option sales tax collections than they would otherwise be required to do. That money goes into what is called the Local Purpose Tax Fund for Schools to help fund school operation and debt. Officials say the county must be able to count on that extra sales tax money coming in from the cities over the life of the 30-year bond in order to cover the costs without having to use or raise property taxes to fund it.

Some city leaders have apparently been reluctant to commit to an extension until the county gets serious about new school construction.

October 15, 2024
By:

The 30th Annual DeKalb County Angel Tree Project signups are coming soon. Thursday, November, 7th has been chosen as the application date. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. Application time is from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm at the First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center under the carport.

Applicants must be DeKalb County residents. Children from birth to no older than age 12 by December 25, 2024 are eligible. You must bring photo identification and a bill with the correct current DeKalb County address of the person applying. You must also provide social security cards and birth certificates (Mother’s copy is okay) for all children listed on the application. Guardian paperwork for temporarily placed children is acceptable. Documents are returned to the applicant, only the application is kept. Please make sure you fill out the application as completely and accurately as possible.

If an applicant cannot appear in person, their application can be submitted by someone else as long as all of the required information and documentation is presented. Come prepared with all of the necessary documentation to complete your application between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 7th. This is the only day that applications will be available and accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS. For additional information please contact Laura Stone (text only please) at 615-464-7135. Do not contact the church, we are only using their facility. Remember you only have Thursday, November 7th to complete and turn in your application.

October 15, 2024
By: Bill Conger

A pinata, tamales wrapped in banana leaves, and Southern fried chicken were part of the delicious bounty for the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage month. Smithville First Baptist Church English Language Learners, teachers, and their families gathered together on September 28 for the second special soiree.

“National Hispanic Heritage month is a celebration of the history, cultures, food, art and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Hispanic countries,” explained FBC member Perla Rico, who has played an integral part in the church’s ELL ministry.

“The Celebration allows us to learn more about their culture, and we have a fun time with our students,” ELL Coordinator Kay Quintero said. “As people from various cultures get to know each other, respect and love grows.”

“I saw joy and gratitude from the Hispanic community that participated for the support received and for the interest and love they have for us,” Rico added. “No matter the cultures or the language, there was a fellowship full of harmony.”

“We had tables set up all around the perimeter of the room, and then, the students set up a display area for their home countries,” ELL Teacher Andrea Sams said. “They brought flags, table decor, wore traditional clothing, and cooked foods that were home region specialties and favorites.”

“The food from both countries are similar,” Perla said. “Only the flavors, the seasonings and methods of preparation vary. Mexico is the only Spanish-speaking country where most of the food is spicy. The other Hispanic countries don’t eat spicy. Two sayings of mine are that “A taco without salsa is not a good taco” and “The spicier the food, the better.”

This year the folks from America decided to step up their game for the occasion.

“Last year was the first time we had done the event, and the English instructors were extremely impressed by the effort put in by the students in their decorations, native clothing and food items they prepared,” Sams said. “We even had amazing things like tamales wrapped in banana leaves!

So this year, the instructors decided we needed to do a better job of representing good American Southern cooking and decoration. We pulled out our best patriotic table scape items, including a hand carved wooden Uncle Sam figurine, a stars-and-stripes table runner bought at Betsy Ross’s house in Philadelphia, and a light up “America, Land That I Love” sign, among other things. We also had a great spread of fried chicken, and a wide variety of sides and desserts. We felt much better about our representation this year!”

About 60 people joined in the fun including people from Mexico, Venezuela, Honduras, Panama, and the United States.

“[The celebration] helps break down the communication barriers that may exist due to language, but despite that, we all laugh in the same language, and this event is always full of laughter!” Rico said.

“The goal of the event is to connect with and show appreciation for all the students and the various countries they come from,” Sams explained. “In addition to teaching them English, we really work to tell the students about Jesus and show them God’s love. One of the best ways to build friendship and trust with them is to show interest in and respect for their cultures. This event really helps accomplish this goal, plus we all get the bonus of eating some amazing food!”

Smithville FBC offers ELL classes on Wednesday nights at 6 o’clock, and this year two members travel to Pirtle’s Nursery to teach English to the Hispanic employees after work.

“We had noticed a need for the English classes,” ELL Coordinator Quintero explained. “After several of us prayed a few months, we decided God was leading us to start this. We arranged training through our Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for the first of 2023 and actually started the first class during May 2023.”

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