By Heather Mullinix / hmullinix@crossville-chronicle.com
The Cumberland County Board of Education approved a bid to purchase a house built by Career and Technical Education students in the trades and industry programs.
A bid of $143,000 was made by Willie and Darcy Patton. That bid covers the investment by the school system for the house built on two lots in the Homestead Acres subdivision.
The 2,000-square-foot home was priced at $184,500 when it was completed last summer. The school system invested $9,500 each for the two lots and materials and construction costs were $122,404, bringing the total investment to $141,404.
"As a school system, we are to build for the purposes of instruction and not be competing with the real estate and housing market," wrote Chris King, director of the CTE department. "This offer is a little over 1 percent above our costs and I recommend that we accept it."
The buyer will also be responsible for any other expenses necessary for the sale, including inspections,surveys, fees, points and taxes.
Bob Scarbrough, 5th District representative, moved to approve the bid, supported by Victor Randolph, 6th District representative. The motion was unanimously approved.
In other action, the board approved a contract for physical therapy services with Denise Pellegrino-Kappel and approved three grant applications for educators working with students with autism.
The following school trips were also approved:
•Brown Elementary Chess Club members to attend the 2010 National Junior High Chess Championship in Minneapolis, MN, April 9-11; and the 2010 Burt Lerner National Elementary Chess Championship May 7-9.
•Cumberland County High School Future Farmers of America officers to attend state leadership conference in Murfreesboro, TN Jan. 15-16.
•CCHS wrestling team overnight trip to Chattanooga Dec. 18, previously approved by the executive committee.
•North Cumberland Elementary honors trip may 12-16 to Orlando, FL.
•Stone Memorial High School broadcasting class trip to Atlanta, GA, Feb. 15 to tour CNN.
•SMHS wrestling team overnight trip to Chattanooga Dec. 18, previously approved by the executive committee.
•Spring 4-H Club activities.
