The Roane County School Board voted Monday night to reduce the cost of the building program for a new high school in Roane County by $1.25 million.
Of the original three sites near the Roane State Campus, it has been determined that the most cost efficient location will be the site currently owned by the Roane State Foundation, according to Dr. Leah R. Watkins, Ed.D, Roane County Schools Director of Schools.
The proposed education project is expected to cost more than $60 million to combine three high schools in the county and renovate two others. The site will allow the district the ability to keep the entire campus on one location rather than on multiple sites.
"The shift in site places the new school on the west side of the Roane State Harriman Campus rather than the east edge of the campus," Watkins said. "This shift saves an estimated $1.25 million for the project and Roane County without reducing the offerings for our students."
The plan would retire Kingston, Harriman and Rockwood high schools, combining them in a new building near Roane State Community College.
It would also include moving Oliver Springs High to the middle school, adding a new gym and technical education space.
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The initial proposal to consolidate all five Roane County High Schools was met with backlash from the community, partially because it would have created long bus rides and commutes for students in rural areas.
The county hasn't said what it intends to do with three high school buildings after consolidation.