Log in Subscribe

Thoughtful decision needed on architect

Dawn Hankins
Posted 10/30/19

Questions have been raised and statements made by both Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham and Bedford County Board of Education recently in regard to who has the authority to hire school architects. Here are a few coming to light: Perhaps, since the county has made its decision on its new architect, and based on recent school board meeting discussions...

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Thoughtful decision needed on architect

Posted

Questions have been raised and statements made by both Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham and Bedford County Board of Education recently in regard to who has the authority to hire school architects.

Here are a few coming to light:

*Should the school board bite the hand that pays the bills?

*How much do they really know about school architecture?

*We have always done it this way.

*There's a state act saying that the county has a fidicuary obligation to its tax payers to manage local finances.

*Why now is the school board's hiring of its school architects such a big issue with the county?

*The most in-depth question: Is this going to become a legal battle between the county and BCBE?

Perhaps, since the county has made its decision on its new architect, and based on recent school board meeting discussions.

That same firm will be doing many county-related projects, including designing future school buildings.

I, of course, try to sit in these meetings and report as objectively as possible on such issues.

There may be information regarding this current architectural dispute kept behind closed doors on both sides to which I'm not privy. That is because attorney-client privilege meetings are exempt from the Sunshine Law.

Here's what I do know . . . .

Let's draw the bigger picture here: We need a new elementary school in the worst kind of way in Bedford County, plain and simple.

One school board member asked recently if a possible legal battle over hiring of school architects could cause a delay in future building programs?

Thank you for that question. It needed to be said.

Well, it's certainly not going to create an equitable working partnership between BCBE and the county, that's for sure.

When it comes to getting these schools built, all stakeholders have to work together.

We have schools, like Eakin Elementary and several others, full to the brim.

I do believe school board members have worked many years to consistently hire the firm which it believes will be up front and work best with local school building program needs.

One of those needs at hand is to get rid of the "trailer parks" of old portable buildings at the schools. Someone in education said that recently.

Point here being this . . . We have much work to do in bringing our system on up the ladder of success.

Such action takes positive programs, like the new Cascade High School. By the way, congratulations to the Champions Marching Band on its state championship.

If there is anything financial or legal standing in the way of school building programs, yes, it most certainly will be a hindrance to future progress.

I do understand that the state's Financial Management Act of 1981 should be followed by the county, since it was officially adopted a few years ago. There are also other financial management options for municipalities, like private acts. But Bedford County placed itself under the 1981 Act.

So here we are in 2019, almost 2020, at odds over an issue that frankly should have been addressed a month ago.

I do understand that BCBE has had the right to chose its architects for at least 30 years. Perhaps the board does need a more thorough, face-to-face explanation from someone on the County Commission as to why the process is all changing, now, in midstream of new school projects.

Who goofed?

BCBE members have spoken their piece in public meetings. Is anyone listening?

Still, we must ask: Is this the box county and BCBE officials want progress to die in, so to speak? Talk in the community will be death by negativity if the point belabors.

Let's not hinder our school system progress. The five-year Strategic Plan is awesome. Let's not set it on fire at the outset.

My advice, having listened now to both arguments from county and BCBE: Hash it out roundtable style, together, and soon.

The holidays are coming soon. Wouldn't it be nice to tell students and parents at the end of the year how a new school design is on its way?

Let's work together on this issue, just like our little kids are learning to do right now in their classrooms. Let's be an example.

We should never be too humble to admit when we're wrong. To compromise is to make a deal between different parties where each party gives up part of their demand. In arguments, compromise is a concept of finding agreement through communication, through a mutual acceptance of terms--often involving variations from an original goal or desires.

Together, we can. Together we learn. That sounds really familiar . . . .

Where have I heard that before?

-- Dawn Hankins is a Times-Gazette staff writer. She can be contacted at dhankins@t-g.com.