Board of Education to Act on Plan for New School

November 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

After two years of talking about building a new school, the Board of Education may be ready to act.

During a special called meeting set for Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m. the board may act on the purchase of land and new school construction. Although the board has the authority to select what type of school to build the county commission would have to be brought in for approval of funding.

In September, 2017 the school board hired Upland Design Group to conduct a school facilities study and in December of that year the architects came back with a recommendation that Smithville Elementary School be replaced and repurposed for other uses. A variety of construction options were offered for consideration. Since then the Board has had a series of meetings and workshops to reach a consensus on a plan and in October, 2018 voted to seek funding for the construction of a new elementary school for students in pre-kindergarten to 2^nd grade to replace Smithville Elementary School. Upland Design then went to work on developing proposed site plans for the school to be built on the campus of Northside Elementary School which they unveiled in March, 2019. But sensing that more space might be needed to adequately accommodate a new school and for future development, the Board set out in search of property to buy.

At least five locations have been considered in recent months but so far the Board has not acted. Also at least one school board member and even a few county commissioners have questioned the wisdom in building a Pre-K through 2 elementary school when there are also other needs. Some say the better plan would be to build two schools for pre-kindergarten to 8^th graders. Something that would most likely require zoning.

During a workshop with the school board earlier the month, an architect from Upland Design shared updated estimates on the cost of building a new Pre-K- 2nd grade School for 900 students ($30,170,500) versus construction of two new Pre-K to 8^th grade schools for 700 students each ($48,685,000) total. He added that the actual cost per square foot could range between $200-$220 depending on the construction market at the time of the bid. This value would also fluctuate based on actual site conditions.

Prior to the special called meeting on December 5^th, the school board will have a work session at 5 p.m. to again consider their options and has invited members of the county commission to join them in the discussions.

November 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A suspected drunk driver believed responsible for a fatal head on crash in March on South Congress Boulevard was named in a sealed indictment returned by the DeKalb County Grand Jury Friday.

39 year old James Christopher Vaughn is indicted for driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, simple possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana), and failure to maintain lane of travel. He is under a $100,000 bond and will be arraigned in Criminal Court on December 10.

The crash occurred on Sunday, March 31. 65 year old Bessie Blevins was seriously injured and died two months later.

According to Smithville Police, Vaughn was driving north on South Congress Boulevard in a Chevy Cobalt when he crossed into the southbound lane and struck a Mercedes SUV driven by Billy Blevins near the intersection of Congress and Bryant Street. Bessie Blevins was a passenger.

After impact, Vaughn’s car came to rest in the center of the road and burst into flames. The SUV stopped in the grass on the west side of Congress Boulevard.

Vaughn, though seriously injured in the crash, was not believed to have suffered any burns. He apparently got out of his car before it caught fire. Before going to the hospital, Vaughn submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Vaughn’s speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. He also had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. Vaughn agreed to a blood test. He was taken by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and then airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Bessie Blevins was taken by EMS to the hospital. Mr. Belvins went to the hospital by private vehicle. Bessie passed away Wednesday May 29 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro

The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department was also on the scene.

The crash was investigated by Smithville Police Sergeant Travis Bryant

November 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Motorists on Tramel Branch Road near Alexandria will now have to watch their speed.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the county commission voted to establish a 35 mile per hour speed limit on the road and to have signs posted to warn the public.

Under state law, the speed limit on any county road is 55 miles per hour unless the county commission acts to change it.

First District Commissioner Dennis Slager said Tramel Branch Road needs a posted speed limit.

“Its state law that the speed limit is 55 miles per hour and right now if the sheriff sees someone going 50-55 miles per hour he has no right to stop them I don’t care how dangerous that road is. We had an accident on that road this morning involving two vehicles. This is a safety issue,” said Slager.

Others suggested that the move could set a precedent without sufficient manpower to enforce it.

“If we start this its going to be more and more people coming and asking for street signs. It is something we have seen in the past. The sheriff’s department does not have the manpower to enforce this,” said  5^th District Commissioner Anita Puckett.

“But that is true of every road in DeKalb County,” answered 5^th District Commissioner Jerry Adcock.

“Maybe posting a sign would be a deterrent if somebody sees it. We realize we don’t have the manpower. The state of Tennessee doesn’t necessarily have the manpower on all the state roads,” said County Mayor Tim Stribling.

“I understand what is being said but also by not having a sign they (motorists) have a right to travel 55 miles per hour and nobody can legally do anything about it. That is what we are trying to establish. I move we pass this for a safety issue. I understand the concern for other roads as (7^th District Commissioner) Bruce Malone has suggested and maybe we can take that up at a later time but tonight I would ask passage of a posted speed limit for this particular road,” said Commissioner Slager.

Seventh District Commissioner Beth Pafford moved to table Slager’s motion to give the commission more time to consider other options. “I am not opposed to safety but I would like to table this to talk about it some more. Is there a sign there (Tramel Branch Road) that says “Road Narrows” or “Sharp Curve Ahead”? she asked.

“I’m not familiar with what signs are there other than “Children at Play,” said County Mayor Stribling.

With eight votes needed, the vote to table failed 7 to 6. Commissioners voting to table were Beth Pafford, Anita Puckett, Bruce Malone, Jeff Barnes, Matt Adcock, and Sabrina Farler.

Those voting against tabling Slager’s motion were Julie Young, Dennis Slager, Myron Rhody, Bobby Johnson, Jenny Trapp, Dr. Scott Little, and Jerry Adcock.

After the motion to table failed, Slager’s motion to post the 35 mile per hour speed limit on Tramel Branch Road passed 11-2. The only members voting no were 6th District Commissioners Jeff Barnes and Matt Adcock. Fourth District Commissioner Janice Fish Stewart was absent.

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