Officials OK funds to construct entire SMHS cafeteria project

By Lynn Hotaling and Lisa Majors-Duff

Jackson County commissioners last week (Feb. 21) approved construction of a new 9,650-square-foot dining room and kitchen at 42-year-old Smoky Mountain High and agreed to fund several alternates that will bring the total project cost to almost $2.1 million.

The new cafeteria is the last piece of a $6.5 million renovation package aimed at modernizing the high school. Commissioners borrowed money in 1999 for improvements at the high school and other capital projects.

Cafeteria plans hit a snag earlier this month when school system and county officials learned the total cost of the project exceeded available funds by about $250,000.

Though school officials voted Feb. 4 to go ahead with the project with furnishings, an a la carte serving area and air conditioning for the existing cafeteria as alternates, commissioners tabled action Feb. 7 pending a closer examination of the budget.

When county Finance Officer Darlene Fox told county leaders Feb. 21 that some $248,313 in investment earnings could be diverted to cafeteria construction, commissioners voted unanimously to move ahead with the entire project.

Arlin Middleton, school system vocational director, expressed appreciation for the decision during the commissioners' meeting, and school board member Ray Trine echoed that sentiment during Monday's (Feb. 25) school board meeting.

"I'd like to publicly state that I appreciate the commissioners approving additional funds for the cafeteria," Trine said. "I'm so grateful they recognized the needs (at SMHS)."

The new cafeteria and kitchen, which will be constructed in the parking lot adjacent to the existing dining room, will be on the same grade as the gymnasium in order to allow handicap access from the existing lobby area to the gym. Students will enter the new space through the existing cafeteria along accessible ramps, which will also provide some elevated seating in the new cafeteria to break up the space and make it more inviting, architect Stephanie Holland said earlier this month.

The existing cafeteria, which will be air-conditioned as part of the construction project, will serve as a student commons until funds are available for its renovation, possibly into office space.

Construction of the new facility is expected to take a year. If all goes according to schedule, the project will be ready to bid in 60 days, Middleton said, and work on the project can begin May 25, which will allow for occupancy on the first day of school in 2003.

Based on a master plan completed in May 2000, improvements at SMHS were divided into three phases. With the cafeteria project under way, school leaders have identified five major projects they hope to see addressed during Phase II, Middleton said.

These are additional classroom space to include more laboratory space; a new technology center to be constructed with a $1.17 million Qualified Zone Academy interest-free loan; upgrades to the SMHS A Building, including a new electrical service, Internet wiring and new toilets; a new lobby and main entrance for the high school; and a revised overall plan to access the Jones property and create a new traffic pattern for SMHS and Fairview.

Back to Archive: 02/28/02.