JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Director of Marion County Schools Mark Griffith shared several updates to the board of education recently regarding different school projects, as well as clarification about surrounding flood zones.
For capital projects, Griffith explained that all is going according to plan with various projects across different schools. Whitwell High School and Marion County High School’s agriculture-based facilities are still underway, alongside South Pittsburg High School’s greenhouse project. Two re-roofing projects are also in the works, both of which are currently out for bid for South Pittsburg Elementary and Marion County High. Whitwell High School’s long awaited theater renovation is also making progress, while several warranty based-items are being looked at for Jasper Middle School.
Griffith also clarified about flood zones within the Jasper community, particuarlily for Jasper Elementary and Middle schools following last month’s discussion surrounding flood insurance. He explained that a portion of both properties is considered wetland. However, neither facility is situated within the actual flood zone. Additionally, he stated that because of neither structure are set within the flood zone, flood insurance is not required to be purchased if the board decides not to move forward with acquiring insurance.
“Basically we’re in the process of rebutting that to where they understand the building itself is not in it,” said Griffith.
Jasper Attorney Mark Raines Jr. noted that recent preliminary reports showcase no properties within the community being built in a flood zone, especially with incoming changes to flood zone mapping from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). The preliminary reports include the two schools, and a physical map showcasing both properties was also presented to the meeting, adding to the clarifications that neither facility is built within the given flood zone.