The Lakeland School System (LSS) put plans on hold Monday to purchase land with funds from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.
The funds, a one-time reallocation from the Shelby budget to the LSS district, were initially marked for re-roofing Lakeland Elementary School, which has suffered multiple leaks.
LSS superintendent Ted Horrell said the roof still has several years of life and only needs repairs in areas where there were bad patches and shoddy craftsmanship. Because a new roof is not needed immediately, the funds could be used for the district’s land purchase to build its combination middle and high school, Lakeland Prep.
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The city is due to set a date for a citywide vote on bond issuance to fund the Lakeland Prep project. Opponents to the bond issuance buried Shelby County Commissioners in emails and calls, asking them to put the brakes on the funding reallocation. The commissioners made a cautious choice: No reallocation of roofing funds until the vote passes.
Horrell and the Lakeland board were philosophical about the delay, as the board already has funds on hand to purchase the land outright if needed, and they are confident the project ultimately will move forward.
The Feb. 9 school board meeting saw approval of the site, architectural and contingency land purchase contracts, all essential to kick off the Lakeland Prep project.
