Hamilton County proposes $32 million for school upgrades across district

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp and Schools Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson have unveiled plans for a $32 million investment aimed at modernizing 27 school facilities across the district.

This initiative is part of a larger $60 million bond issue approved in August 2024, resulting from a budget agreement between the county and the school system.

“This investment is an important step to ensuring our county’s school facilities meet the needs of students, empower teachers, and give confidence to parents.”

-Mayor Wamp

The proposed funding will target infrastructure needs including HVAC upgrades, roof repairs, and athletic facility improvements.

The upgrades aim to address deferred maintenance, enhance safety, and extend the longevity of school buildings.

“Receiving $32 million for school improvements across the district is a significant investment that will begin to address a long list of deferred school maintenance and other improvements that have been growing for many years.  Through the collaborative work of the Board of Education and the County Commission, we look forward to getting these projects underway as soon as possible for the benefit of our students and staff.”

-Dr. Robertson

The Hamilton County School Board approved the project list in December, and the County Commission will vote on the funding allocation during their January 15th meeting.

The following schools have been named along with their proposed projects:

• Bess T. Shepherd Elementary:  Building Controls, $250,000
• Bess T. Shepherd Elementary:  Roof Repairs, $225,000
• Big Ridge Elementary:  Air Conditioning Upgrades, $380,000
• Central High:  New Track Bleachers, $500,000
• CSAS:  Auditorium Roof Repairs, $120,000
• CSLA/Dawn:  Demolition, $1,300,000
• East Hamilton High:  Parking Lot/Building Lights, $20,000
• East Hamilton High:  Stadium Seating/New Turf Field, $2,150,000
• East Lake Academy:  EPDM Roof, $800,000
• East Ridge High:  Ceiling Demo/New Lights, $750,000
• East Ridge High:  Softball Field Drainage, $500,000
• East Ridge High:  Sand Gym Floor/Paint Gym, $80,000
• Hixson High:  Air Conditioning Upgrades, $280,000
• Hunter Middle:  Baseball Field Lights, $265,000
• Lookout Mountain Elementary:  Cafeteria Roof, $300,000
• Lookout Mountain Elementary:  Building Controls, $265,000
• Lookout Valley Elementary:  Roof/Ceiling/Lights Repairs, $1,000,000
• Lookout Valley High:  Sand Gym Floor, $40,000
• Lookout Valley High:  Air Conditioning Upgrades, $1,500,000
• Normal Park Museum Lower:  Fire Alarm, $60,000
• Normal Park Museum Upper:  New Fencing, $150,000
• North Hamilton County Elem.:  Roof Repairs, $800,000
• Ooltewah High:  Track Replacement, $1,400,000
• Ooltewah High:  Sand Gym Floor, $40,000
• Ooltewah High RA:  Air Conditioning Upgrades, $220,000
• Orchard Knob Middle:  New Gym Bleachers, $180,000
• Orchard Knob Middle:  New HVAC System, $6,000,000
• Red Bank Elementary:  Partial Roof Repair, $120,000
• Red Bank High:  Wrestling/Cheer Room Renovation, $250,000
• Red Bank High:  Elevator Repair, $80,000
• Sale Creek Middle/High:  Air Conditioning Upgrades, $38,000
• Sale Creek Middle/High:  New Gym Bleachers, $300,000
• Sequoyah High:  Building A Roof Replacement, $3,500,000
• Sequoyah High:  Ventilation Upgrades, $50,000
• Service Center/Transportation:  Roof Repairs, $500,000
• Signal Mountain Middle/High:  Track Resurface, $550,000
• Signal Mountain Middle/High:  Multi-Purpose Turf field, $1,200,000
• Snow Hill Elementary:  Air Conditioning Upgrades, $380,000
• Snow Hill Elementary:  Addition and Built-up Roof, $1,300,000
• Soddy-Daisy High:  Security Entrance Improvement, $60,000
• Soddy-Daisy High:  Brick Repair, $1,200,000
• System Wide:  Painting, $1,000,000
• System Wide:  Alarms, $50,000
• The Howard School:  Settling Repairs, $500,000
• Thrasher Elementary:  Air Conditioning Upgrades, $400,000
• Woodmore Elementary:  Shingle Roof, $95,000
• Woodmore Elementary:  Boiler Repairs, $200,000