School board will discuss proposal at work session
By KERRI BARTLETT
For Brentwood Home Page
Over a year ago, the Ravenwood High School PTO followed Williamson County Schools’ protocol by requesting the superintendent’s approval in raising its own funds to build a multi-purpose athletic field house on the school’s campus. In turn, the PTO was asked to obtain the board’s approval for each step of the project.

At the school board’s November work session, PTO president Cherie Hammond requested the board’s approval in hiring an architect to provide renderings and a model of the structure, which would be the next phase of the project. At the time, questions were raised due to the building project’s large scale.

A few board members questioned if PTOs should be permitted to raise funds for a capital project and expressed concern that if approving such a large-scale project would lead to setting a new standard for high school facilities.

In the past, projects including the construction of batting cages, field houses and wrestling rooms at schools across the county have been approved and funded by PTOs and outside sponsors.

At its regular November board meeting – held during WCS’ Thanksgiving break -- board members expressed their desire to be respectful of those who might be involved in the fundraising and the management of the project and a motion was made to defer discussion on the project until December.

Board chairman Pat Anderson suggested that the issue be pulled from discussion until the next work session, which takes place this Thursday, Dec. 15.

“I am very much looking forward to the work session in order to clarify details and further answer any questions,” Hammond said. “We want to make sure that we follow all of the right steps and abide by protocol in order to make the project happen.”

The work session begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Carolyn Campbell Room in the WCS’ second floor offices at the Williamson County Administrative Complex, 1320 West Main Street, Franklin.