On Monday January 9 the Knox County School Board will meet in work session to prepare for the Thursday January 12 Knox County School Board Meeting.
The Scott Brothers (Tim and Todd) property in Farragut is back on the agenda. Find the amendment here. A sweetheart deal that was (in my humble opinion) squeaked (with little to no due diligence) by the prior School Board and County Commission. It is more property than needed for an elementary school. The contract provides a frontage road paid for by Knox County for the Scott Brothers other 200 plus acres.
Now the Scott Brothers want $15,000 a month until the road is completed by September 2024, if the road is NOT completed by then Knox County will pay the Scott Brothers $30,000 a month. On the Fiscal Note here it states Knox County Schools will pay $15,000 a month and then $30,000 a month until it is a Knox County roadway. It also states it will be paid with Capital Plan Dollars. Previously, it has been ruled that Capital Plan Dollars can not be used for recurring payments. This monthly payment is a recurring payment. In my humble opinion, so it violates the rule and the spirit of the rule.
Also, why is Knox County Schools in the road building business? Because this property is in Farragut a Knox County road will not meet the code and satisfaction of the Town of Farragut.
No survey appears to have been completed as required by the initial sales contract. So, if a survey has NOT been completed, have ground samplings and core drilling been performed on the property by Knox County, in preparation for the due diligence on the purchase.
If none of this has been done then the landscape plan which is mandated in the sales contract hasn’t likely been completed yet, either. Surely a School Board Member will ask all these pertinent questions.
Flashback to the Northshore Elementary School, when the school was built and then part of the building had to be re-built due to a sinkhole taking out a wall or three.
Knox County Law Department is the legal representation for Knox County Schools. The Scott Brothers (I am told) are represented by Knoxville Attorney Dennis B. Ragsdale. It appears (from a non lawyer citizen) that Knox County has been out lawyered.
Oh and by the way, since the School Board is authorizing, paying for and building roads. What is the use of a Knox County Commission? For that matter what is the use of the Knox County Mayor? It appears the School Board has taken over the responsibility of Commission and the Superintendent has taken over the role of County Mayor.
